A change in policy means that young people who were in the care of the council and who pay Council Tax in the city can, for the first time, qualify for an exemption from paying it when they are aged between 18 and 24.
Councillor Val Gibson, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "The council's Corporate Parenting Strategy articulates our commitment to improving outcomes for looked after children and to narrowing the gap between them and their peers.
"As part of this strategy a new policy has been agreed to help care leavers with their finances.
"Care leavers who are living in Wolverhampton and are aged under 25 will no longer have to pay Council Tax - just one of the ways that we trying to reduce the barriers to them making the successful transition to living in the community.
"I would urge anyone who either works with young people leaving care or knows a care leaver who is under the age of 25 to make sure they are aware of this new policy."
Colleagues from the council's revenues and benefits and looked after children services are also working together to identify those people who could benefit from this exemption.
To qualify for an exemption the young person must:
- pay council tax to the City of Wolverhampton Council
- be aged over 18 but under 25
- be a care leaver whose corporate parent was the City of Wolverhampton Council - including those young people who received care outside the city but have since returned to live in Wolverhampton
For further information, please call the City of Wolverhampton Council on 01902 551166 or email council.tax@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
- released: Monday 16 January, 2017