YourVoice - Advice and Support - Money, Gambling and Housing

Budgeting and Bank Accounts

You will need a bank or building society account if you start work, want your own home or even want to save some money.

There is no legal age limit at which you can open a bank account but a bank manager can decide whether to allow a child or young person to open an account. There are restrictions on opening certain kinds of account, for example, as a young person you are not normally legally responsible for your debts so you are unlikely to be granted an overdraft.

Look around when opening a bank account and make sure you get an account that pays a decent interest.

Would you like to know more?

Money Helper’s budget planner can help with planning a budget.

Money Helper's advice on opening a bank account.

The Money Charity offers a range of support to help you understand money and finances.

Debt Advice

When you first start earning money, it is very easy to lose track of what you are spending and end up in debt. If this happens, don't ignore it! Debt can be easily managed if you understand the problem, but if you let it continue, it can quickly spiral out of control.

How to avoid debt

• Create a weekly budget of your bills, food and supplies and make sure you can afford this. Anything left can be spent or saved.
• Don’t take out a short-term loan. Although it may help you out in the short-term, you could end up paying back a lot more than you borrowed in the first place.
• Check what you're entitled to. You might be able to claim some financial support such as tax credits or benefits.
• Make sure you're managing you bank account. You need to make sure that any payments like rent and credit card bills have been covered before you start spending more.

Who can I talk to?

• The Citizens Advice Bureau has a useful self-help website and offices throughout Doncaster where you can access face-to-face support.
• The Debt Advice Foundation offer free, confidential and impartial support and advice to anyone worried about loans, credit and debt.
• GOV.UK has a list of the benefits that may be available to you.

Being a compulsive gambler can harm your health and relationships, and leave you in serious debt. If you have a problem with gambling and you'd like to stop, support and treatment is available. Visit the NHS website to take a quick questionnaire to see if you may be a problem gambler and what help is available.

The Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) is an award-winning charity with a social purpose to inform, educate, safeguard young people against gaming and gambling harms. 

Food banks can give food parcels to help people when they do not have enough money to buy food. Food banks work using a voucher referral system. In order to get help from a food bank you will need a voucher issued by a local agency.

Whilst your food parcel is being prepared, you will be offered a warm drink and a biscuit. A volunteer will have an informal chat with you about your situation and, as appropriate, signpost you to further support.

Your food will be packed into supermarket carrier bags, which the food bank can supply, or if you prefer to bring your own these can be used instead.

Find out more on The Trussel Trust website. 

Homelessness means not having a home. A home is a place that provides security, privacy, and links to a community and support network. It needs to be decent and affordable.

Being homeless is not just about sleeping rough. It can also include people who are staying temporarily with friends or relatives, staying in bed and breakfast, in a hostel, or somewhere that is dangerous. It can be a very emotional and frightening time, and it’s important to know that no matter what your situation is or what’s happened you can always get help.

Where can you get help?

Doncaster Council and Doncaster Children’s Services Trust have specific responsibility to assess the needs of young people who are aged 16-18 and away from home.

What services are provided?

• Help with arranging accommodation - this includes emergency or hostel type accommodation and a range of lodgings in the private or voluntary sector. Council run accommodation may also be a possibility.
• Assistance with claiming benefits - our staff have detailed knowledge of a range of benefits, will know what you are entitled to claim and can help in completing the paperwork.
• How to keep safe and away from people who might draw you into harmful lifestyles.
• How to get medical and contraceptive help.
• How to access educational, training and job opportunities.

How to get in touch with us

If you need to make a request for help, contact Doncaster Home Choice.

Are you sleeping rough?

If you are sleeping rough or at risk of doing so visit the StreetLink website, call them free on 0300 500 0914, or download the free mobile app for your Apple or Android device.

Other sources of support

• YMCA Doncaster help young, single homeless young people from 16years+. Self-referrals are accepted.
• DHYP was established as a charity in 1993 to provide housing and support for young homeless or potentially homeless people for whom there were no clear structures of support or statutory responsibilities.
• Runaway helpline provides information and support to young people before, while and after they are missing.
• Centrepoint support more than 9,000 homeless 16 to 25 year olds a year into a home and a job.

Housing options for young people

There is no official age when you can leave home. As long as you can show that you are living in accommodation which provides a safe environment (eg you are not at risk from drugs, prostitution or violence etc) and you have a stable respectable method of supporting yourself financially, there are no legal barriers to leaving home at 16 years or older.

If you are under 16, then there is a probability that your parents or guardians could get a court order to force you to return home or into care. If you are aged 17, then this is still possible, subject to all the surrounding circumstances.

Renting

Private renting

This involves signing a tenancy agreement with a landlord for you to live in their property. You will normally pay a monthly fee plus a deposit. The deposit will be given back to you at the end of the tenancy if there has been no damage to the property. If you're under 18, the law says you aren't allowed to hold a tenancy.

If you are looking for somewhere to live, check if any landlords are part of an accreditation scheme. These are voluntary schemes that landlords join to show that they provide good quality accommodation.

Information from the Citizens Advice Bureau about renting a home.

Council and housing association homes

You can join the waiting list for a council or housing association property by registering with Doncaster Home Choice. Waiting lists can be quite long and you're not guaranteed to get a property.

Buying a property

If you are in work, you may want to consider buying a property.

The Help To Buy scheme helps people who don't have much money or a deposit buy their own home.

When you’re buying a property you will need to get a mortgage, which is a very large loan against the property. You will pay back the mortgage over several years. If you are under the age of 18, you will not be able to apply for a mortgage to buy accommodation. This is because you cannot own property in your own right although it may be held in trust for you until you come of age.

The Citizens Advice Bureau have impartial advice about buying a home.

Moving into your new home

Moving into a new house can be stressful and there are lots of things you will need to arrange before or just after moving in.

• Setting up your internet/broadband
• Getting a TV licence
• Setting up your gas and electricity
• Fire safety in your home
• DIY information: do it yourself help and advice

 

Universal Credit

You may be able to claim Universal Credit to help you cover the cost of rent and prevent the risk of homelessness.