Support with paying your bills as a care leaver

We will support you with your Council Tax bill until your 25th birthday.

If you live in North Somerset, you must register for Council Tax and then you will be supported to claim your exemption. Your personal advisor will work with you to do this.

If you live outside of North Somerset, you will have to register for Council Tax in the area that you live. Your personal advisor will then help you to claim any local exemptions that you may be entitled to. North Somerset Council will pay any difference left on your council tax bill.

If you live with someone who is not a care leaver, then exemptions will only apply to your part of the Council Tax bill, not theirs.

If you are under 21 and live independently, you can get support from the care leavers water assist scheme. This is an agreement between councils and Bristol Water and Wessex Water to apply a discount of 95% to your water and sewerage bill until your 21st birthday. Your personal advisor can help you apply for this water bill discount.

You can also apply for the scheme online. 

Different places in the South West like Devon, Wiltshire and Dorset have agreed different approaches to this. If you decide to live elsewhere you can find out what regional offers are available through the Graduating Care South West app.

What happens when you turn 21

When you are approaching your 21st birthday, your water company will call you to let you know that you are due to be removed from the assist scheme. During this call, they will tell you about other support available. 

If you cannot be contacted, you will be removed from the care leavers assist scheme and put back on normal charges. However, you will be sent a letter promoting help schemes available to you.

More information

We will support you with Wi-Fi or mobile data payments of £15 per month until your 21st birthday. You can claim this as an annual payment of £180.

You will not get this payment if you are living in supported accommodation (unless Wi-Fi is not included) or in accommodation where your Wi-Fi is included in your rent.