17/f benefits help

therobbie

Hi,

I'm posting on behalf of my girlfriend. We live together with my parents, and she's joined an apprentice accademy (& actually finds out today whether she got an apprentice job she went to an interview for). She'll get paid £95 a week for being an apprentice, but I'm sure she must be entitled to some benefits or something, especially as she's moved out of her parents house?

Can she get Working Tax Credits on an apprenticeship? Or, at least, can her travel costs (a daily return tram ticket) be covered?

Not sure if it's relevant, I'm over 18 & not currently working.

We virtually have no income, & my girlfriends £95 a week will be eaten into by travel costs and any small rent fees my generous mum may require once she/we are working.

Thanks,
Rob.

RAS

WTC is only available to those over 25 years old in full-time work (30 hours), or with children and working over 16 hours a week.

krycek985

When I did my apprentiship I wasnt allowed any benifits. As far as the goverment was concerned, if you are getting your training paid for you should think yourself luck.

No min wage etc.

livermum

I know that when my brother was training as an apprentice he was not eligible for anything other than the apprenticeship money that he received.

Oldernotwiser

Aren't you claiming JSA?

therobbie

I'm not claiming JSA, no, but it's not so much about me. I know what I'm entitled to and whatnot, so I'll sort myself out, but I/we have no idea what my girlfriend is entitled to.

What about travel/dinner costs? I know people on JSA can get a grant type thing for such costs, is there a grant or a benefit to cover that for someone on an apprenticeship? Or could that possibly be something the company she's working for may sort out?

£95 a week seems difficult to live on, even when staying somewhere virtually rent free. Do they just assume anyone on an apprenticeship is still entirely reliant on their parents?

£5.40 for a return tram ticket, 5 days a week. That's £27 per week.

welshmoneylover

therobbie wrote: »

I'm not claiming JSA, no, but it's not so much about me. I know what I'm entitled to and whatnot, so I'll sort myself out, but I/we have no idea what my girlfriend is entitled to.

What about travel/dinner costs? I know people on JSA can get a grant type thing for such costs, is there a grant or a benefit to cover that for someone on an apprenticeship? Or could that possibly be something the company she's working for may sort out?

£95 a week seems difficult to live on, even when staying somewhere virtually rent free. Do they just assume anyone on an apprenticeship is still entirely reliant on their parents?

£5.40 for a return tram ticket, 5 days a week. That's £27 per week.

Unfortunately, this is the 'welcome to the real world moment'.
Can her parents not help out at all?

McKneff

Entitled to nothing Im afraid, Tell her to buy a monthly train ticket, they are lots cheaper.

If she is living with you and your parents why is £95 a week hard to live on.

She'll be paying board and lodge - train fares.
The rest is just pocket money to buy her clothes, make up, etc.

Tell you something, I wish I had £95 a week to call my own after I pay my elec, water, gas, food, insurance, council tax.
As the other poster says, she is extremely lucky to get an apprenticeship and get paid as well.

Jowo_2

therobbie wrote: »

..
What about travel/dinner costs? I know people on JSA can get a grant type thing for such costs, is there a grant or a benefit to cover that for someone on an apprenticeship? Or could that possibly be something the company she's working for may sort out?

No automatic grants for food/travel expenses for apprentices - remember she is an employee, not a benefit claimant, as an apprentice. A packed lunch will cost a quid, if that.

It's up to the employer if they offer anything other than a salary and most don't,she'll need to to ask her employer and I'd imagine the employer would think that's precisely what her wages are for.

She may get a wage increase in the future - again, something to ask the employer about.

therobbie wrote: »

..

£95 a week seems difficult to live on, even when staying somewhere virtually rent free. Do they just assume anyone on an apprenticeship is still entirely reliant on their parents?

It's almost twice the sum paid to someone on JSA and much better than a college student would get as a bursary or grant.

The benefit system is set up to expect that those living with close relatives have a relationship that is based on mutual support and assistance, rather than a commercial one. Board and lodgings, paying keep, is a family matter, not a state matter.

therobbie wrote: »

..

£5.40 for a return tram ticket, 5 days a week. That's £27 per week.

I don't know anyone regularly travelling to work who buys a return ticket each day.

Season tickets work out cheaper, buses can cost half that of trains/trams, cycling is free.

I think the main problem is that you and your gf don't see the apprenticeship as an investment in her career. The wages may be low, but then it is a junior/trainee position, she is learns while she earns, and it can be a springboard into a much better paid position.

All the expenses you are anxious about - food, travel, rent - are simply part and parcel of being an adult and/or employee and are inevitable. I appreciate that it's a big change for you but these are everyday typical living expenses.

I suggest that you and your gf download the budget planner on the free tools section of this website and plan your budget - perhaps then, you will feel more in control of your finances.

There isn't a secret magic bucketfull of money out there in the state purse for your gf - you will be much better off when you are both in employment.

Assuming she can get a season tram or bus ticket for about £20 and takes a packed lunch to work, she'll have around £70 disposable income per week. Why do you think she will struggle on this money, which is higher than JSA?

Oldernotwiser

therobbie wrote: »

I'm not claiming JSA, no, but it's not so much about me. I know what I'm entitled to and whatnot, so I'll sort myself out, but I/we have no idea what my girlfriend is entitled to.

What about travel/dinner costs? I know people on JSA can get a grant type thing for such costs, is there a grant or a benefit to cover that for someone on an apprenticeship? Or could that possibly be something the company she's working for may sort out?

£95 a week seems difficult to live on, even when staying somewhere virtually rent free. Do they just assume anyone on an apprenticeship is still entirely reliant on their parents?

£5.40 for a return tram ticket, 5 days a week. That's £27 per week.

Obviously your choice but an additional £50 per week would mean you needn't be subsidised so much by your girlfriend or parents.

And yes, most people doing an apprenticeship are still living at home with parents, so £95 would cover keep, fares and pocket money.

Caz3121

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Obviously your choice but an additional £50 per week would mean you needn't be subsidised so much by your girlfriend or parents.

And yes, most people doing an apprenticeship are still living at home with parents, so £95 would cover keep, fares and pocket money.

just a thought - assuming this was IB JSA would the girlfriends earnings cancel out any payment due - Is the £102 per week for a couple the figure. If the apprenticeship over 24 hours per week does this mean the OP cannot claim anyway?