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Who can get the care leaver payment

You can get a care leaver payment if:

  • you were looked after by the local authority on or after your 16th birthday, and
  • you stop being looked after on or after 1 April 2026, and
  • you are not in continuing care

or

  • you were in continuing care, and
  • you stop being in continuing care on or after 1 April 2026

Looked after by the local authority

“Looked after by the local authority” has a specific legal definition and it means that the local authority has enhanced responsibilities for you. For instance, you may be looked after and living with a foster carer or kinship carer or you may be living in residential accommodation. You can also be looked after under a compulsory supervision order and living at home with your parent or parents. These are just examples: there are other situations where you count as looked after by the local authority. 

Read the definition of “looked after” in section 17(6) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 on legislation.gov.uk

Continuing care

“Continuing care” is a duty on local authorities to provide young people who are looked after and accommodated at age 16 or beyond, and whose final placement is ‘away from home’, with the same accommodation and other assistance they received before they stopped being looked after. The aim of continuing care is to provide young people with the option of a more gradual and better supported transition out of care. For instance, you may continue to live with your foster carer after you stop being looked after by the local authority. Continuing care can last up to your 21st birthday.

Read the definition of “continuing care” in section 26A of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 on legislation.gov.uk

How much is the care leaver payment

The care leaver payment is a one-off payment of £2,000.  

It is usually paid as money, although some or all of it can be paid as voucher or paid to a provider or goods or services if you want that to happen. The payment may also be made in the form of a voucher if the local authority thinks you are at risk of financial abuse. 

Usually, the care leaver payment is made as one payment. It can be paid in two instalments if you agree to this. Where the payment is made in two instalments, the first instalment should be made as soon as possible after you stop being looked after, or you stop being in continuing care, and the second instalment should be made on a date that you agree with the local authority.

Claiming the care leaver payment

You do not have to make a claim for the care leaver payment. The local authority which last looked after you should identify that you are entitled and notify you about how the payment will be made.

If you think that you are entitled to a care leaver payment and you have not been notified by the local authority, you should ask that it determines whether you are entitled. If the local authority decides that you are not entitled to the payment you can request a review of this decision. You should do so within one year of the determination.

More information

Read the care leaver payment regulations on legislation.gov.uk