Housing and living independently

Money and benefits

No matter where you decide to live, you will need money to cover:

  • living expenses
  • paying bills
  • doing activities you enjoy
  • paying for your care costs when you turn 18 (if you need to)

Benefits

Whether you are entitled to benefits will depend on:

  • your age
  • your needs
  • the choices you make about your education / training and employment.

When you turn 16, you can decide if you want to be responsible for your benefits, or if you would like your parents / carers to be responsible for them until you are 18.

When you turn 18, you will be responsible for any benefits you get, unless you are unable to make decisions.

Find out more about benefits.