Are Apprenticies entitled to any benefits?

barbie299

Im 18 about to start an apprentership ill be earning 95 a week and ill be doing 32 hours a week . I live with my parants im just wondering if i am entitled to any benefits maybe low income or something? Also will i get help with dental fees and prescription charges through the Hc2 certificate? Am i classed as a student or not im so confused !:mad:
I cant find any info on this , anyone have any advice?

karenx

You are working fulltime therefor not a student, so no student benefits. And no help towards rent etc as you are living with your parents
You wont be entitled to any other help other than the prescription charges etc.

viktory

You'll be earning more than you would get on JSA.

busy_mom_2

barbie299 wrote: »

Im 18 about to start an apprentership ill be earning 95 a week and ill be doing 32 hours a week . I live with my parants im just wondering if i am entitled to any benefits maybe low income or something? Also will i get help with dental fees and prescription charges through the Hc2 certificate? Am i classed as a student or not im so confused !:mad:
I cant find any info on this , anyone have any advice?

Not a bad weely amount for 18 really if you are still living at home. You will be getting qualifications to leed to a better wage in later life. Better than JSA or dead end job with no prospects.

barbie299

I no i wont really need the extra money as i am living with my parants i was just wondering if i was entitled to anything . im just worried about the Dental costs and prescription charges because theres no way ill be able to afford those on my weekly wage any one no anything about that?

Jowo_2

Here is a link to a site that explains eligibility for certain medical costs, including info on help with health costs for those on low income.

http://www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/Healthcosts/pages/Abouthealthcosts.aspx

Is there any particular reason why the occasional prescription cost of £7, or an annual NHS dentist check-up charge is beyond your budget?

McKneff

You have £95 a week to call your own (pocket money) to you, less board and lodge, how can you possibly say you cant afford prescription charges. Are they less important than what you will fritter your money on. Paying for your health should come miles before paying for a mobile phone.

Im 60, and i really really wish i had £95 a week to call my own to spend on what wish.
You are one lucky young person to have even secured an apprenticeship.

dktreesea

McKneff wrote: »

You have £95 a week to call your own (pocket money) to you, less board and lodge, how can you possibly say you cant afford prescription charges. Are they less important than what you will fritter your money on. Paying for your health should come miles before paying for a mobile phone.

Im 60, and i really really wish i had £95 a week to call my own to spend on what wish.
You are one lucky young person to have even secured an apprenticeship.

I can't believe I just read that! £95 a week for 32 hours a week is slave labour rates. The minimum wage should count for everyone, whether they are 18 or 58. Work is work. He's learning on the job? Yes, that's as maybe, but presumably his labour is still worth something to the employer?

Jowo_2

dktreesea wrote: »

I can't believe I just read that! £95 a week for 32 hours a week is slave labour rates. The minimum wage should count for everyone, whether they are 18 or 58. Work is work. He's learning on the job? Yes, that's as maybe, but presumably his labour is still worth something to the employer?

The OP is being paid a legitimate sum and will benefit from the employer's generosity with the training when they complete the training period and gain the skills that the company gives them. It allows them to earn while they learn. The OP is not hard done by and is to be congratulated for securing one in a time when youth unemployment is so high.

It is a privilege to be an apprentice, it's very competitive to gain a position and it is not uncommon to come across posts from people that are frustrated that they've not got such a good foothold on the career ladder because they've not managed to secure one.

Remember they are being trained up to do a skilled job and therefore bring little to the role at the outset apart from drive and enthusiasm until they become more productive and can start to pay back the investment the employer has made in them.

"All employed apprentices must receive a wage of £95 per week*. However, as skills develop, many employers tend to increase wages – in fact, research has found that apprentices earn an average of £170 net pay per week."

"Career progression is excellent for apprentices, and over the course of their careers, those with an Apprenticeship earn, on average, £100,000 more than those without.

Some Apprenticeships already attract UCAS points or allow you to study for a Technical Certificate. Once the Apprenticeship has finished there’s the opportunity to carry on working, maybe get promoted or go on to higher education in a college or university."

http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/

Oldernotwiser

dktreesea wrote: »

I can't believe I just read that! £95 a week for 32 hours a week is slave labour rates. The minimum wage should count for everyone, whether they are 18 or 58. Work is work. He's learning on the job? Yes, that's as maybe, but presumably his labour is still worth something to the employer?

Then there would be even fewer apprenticeships than there are now!

A teenager starting training isn't going to bring much to an organisation; quite the opposite in fact when you allow for the skilled people having to leave their work to train the youngster.

happyinflorida

I'm not sure if there is an age restriction but I would have thought it may be worth applying for working tax credit? You have to work a minimum of 30 hrs per week, which you are, so you may be entitled to that. Worth a try.

Have a look on "entitledto.co.uk" - that will tell you what you can get!