Job Grant for lone parents

in_spired2

I was told today that I am not eligible for the job grant for lone parents as my son is 17 (and in further education) and you can only get it if your children are no older than 16. Does anyone know if this is right? The only information I've seen on job grants so far doesn't mention any ages.

Oldernotwiser

There's nothing about children's ages on direct.gov. It's not even just for lone parents.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Employedorlookingforwork/DG_10018789

in_spired2

That's the point - what do they class as a child? I was told I'd get the childless amount and not the "parent" amount - told by an adviser at the JCP. Seems so strange that there's no definition of a child (age limit or other criteria for qualifying for the £250) on their site (I looked on that and other ones earlier) and yet they're telling me that the child I get child benefit and child tax credits for is not a child. :think:

AsknAnswer2

Sound like they are getting it confused with the "in work credit", which is only available to lone parents who have at least one child living with them who is under the age of 16.