Benefits for 17 year old???

davmail wrote:

Hi,my son left school at 16,has not claimed ANY benefits as we were told we have to support him until he is 18,he has been looking for jobs,but nothing coming his way,can he claim ANY benefit,or does he have to wait until 18???Any advice would be great.

If you're having problems financially while he's still at home, and he's fit and able, he should go and get a job. Benefits are for people who really need them and from what you've said the only thing he needs is to get off his backside.

without prejudice

2 ways of doing this, tell the benefits he has to leave the household due to you not being able to support him, he will get housing benefit etc. at least he will learn how to look after himself with your support ... i.e. doing his washing and some meals, and theres nothing to stop him spending time at home before going back to his own place each night.

Or

enroll him in college, keeps him off the street, gets him a qualification and youll get some cash to support him.

hth loops

laura_marshall89 wrote:

if he'd gone to college he'd get £30 a week- as he didn't, i think its a job or nothing

I'll think you'll find it's up to £30 and its means tested

jowmonty wrote:

My son has sent a claim off for income support but they do want to know what money is coming into the household (he's 17). Your wages for instance. Am waiting to hear. Like yourself I'm supporting him at the moment and two other children 14 and 8, am also a single parent after 15 years of marrriage and am only able to work at the moment limited hours due to no childcare for the youngest.

Strange contradictions here. You can't work for lack of childcare but you have to support him! What about him being the childcare whilst you work.
I bet that would scare him into finding a job.
Ray
Not judgmental; just curious.

Gemmzie wrote:

That's not true.

JSA Severe Hardship is available for 16 - 17 year olds in certain circumstances, during the CBEP

That's only half accurate (if there is such a thing!!). JSA severe hardship is payable OUTSIDE the 20 wk Child Benefit Extension period. The JSA that can be paid during the CBEP is the JSA pescribed group (if they are extranged and living independently).

btw - no chance of Income Support as the son is a job seeker. IS only available to under 18s if they live away from home and are in FT education.

Davmail - Your son has chosen not to go to college (this education is free plus EMA if you're entitled) which of course is his choice, but why should taxpayers be expected to fund that choice? I agree that he should go to Connexions.

Also very difficult for a 17 year old to live independently, lots of hoops to go through (as you can't get a tenancy under 18).

Getting under 18s on benefits only encourages them to sit on their bottom IMO.