If you are aged 16 or 17 when you leave care, you will not be able to claim benefits (unless you are disabled or pregnant).  The Children Act makes Devon County Council responsible for your money until you are 18, when you can claim benefits such as Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit.

Your care manager will do a financial assessment with you to look at your income (from a job if you are working) and what you will need.  Young people's needs vary, but you will not receive less at age 16 or 17 than you would receive on benefits (£43.25 as from 7 April 2003).  If you are in education, you will get an extra £10 per week.  If you are working part time and earning less than £53.25, it will be topped up to £53.25.

See Helping you survive out there.