Young person - deserves bennefits?

Mishomeister

I have a good friend. He is 24 yo and earns a National minimum wage. He knows one guy, who earns the same money, but also gets working tax credit because he is 25 and therefore has a better quality of life. They both work in exactly the same place and do exactly the same job.

Are there any bennefits available for under 25's. His father has died 10 years ago and his mother is poor and lives abroad, so government assumption that all young people are getting a parents support doesn't works here as he couln't even live with his mom, so has to pay a full rent.

It all sounds like an age discrimination, why 25 yo can have a working tax credit and 24 yo not if their positions are identical?
Is there anything available for my friend? Any bennefits or discounts?
He is snot a student but a full time worker so has no discounts that student would have.

Rikki

They have to have an age which benefits start and stop. The working tax credit will start when your friend gets to twenty five. As unfair as it appears to be they cannot make exceptions.

Russe11

Tax credits subsidise employers, if they made it widespread there would be no incentive for employers to offer more money or for employers to work more hours.

Mishomeister

Russe11 wrote: »

Tax credits subsidise employers, if they made it widespread there would be no incentive for employers to offer more money or for employers to work more hours.

As they both do exactly the same job, why would employer offer a higher wage for someone who doesn't qualify's for tax credit due to thei age

Russe11

Mishomeister wrote: »

As they both do exactly the same job, why would employer offer a higher wage for someone who doesn't qualify's for tax credit due to thei age

The employer does not choose a employees circumstances, however if they can pay a employee that has kids, does a certain amount of hours the min wage and the employee gets the same amount of income as a employee on double the min wage it never will be a "fair system"

I for example could take a 30 hour a week min wage job, and get about £200 a month tax credit, or I could got work a 40 out week in a slighty better job and be no better off.

If a employer offers me overtime I would be doing myself out of taxcredits for doing more work therefore no incentive.

A employer therefore will get employees whether they offer the min wage or more than the min wage.

The idea is by the time you are 25 you either have been through the education system and can demand more then the min wage or have gained skills and qualifications.

The DWP offer services to those aged 19-24, training, courses etc etc. over 25s these services are not offered.

I have applied for jobs and not been considered because I don't have a plumbing qualification, the job paid just slighty more the the NWM, they will find someone who will be subsidised by the benfits and welfare system and will get a decent income out of it.

Macro_3

The short answer is that there is nothing he can claim. The benefits system is unfair, unfortunately.

Oldernotwiser

If his rent costs are high, he may be able to claim some top up from LHA at the shared accommodation rate.

Mishomeister

Russe11 wrote: »

The DWP offer services to those aged 19-24, training, courses etc etc. over 25s these services are not offered.

If you are 24 yo without any family support and instead of working full time, you switch to part time to be able to attend DWP courses, your income(especially in Lodon) will not allow you to both pay rent, basic bills and be able to buy food.

whitewing

The best thing for your friend (John?) to do, is to stop comparing himself to other people he knows. It would do his head in as there will always be people who seem to have a better deal in life. He should concentrate on his own income and chip away at his budget, then more possibilities will open up for his future.

Russe11

whitewing wrote: »

The best thing for your friend (John?) to do, is to stop comparing himself to other people he knows. It would do his head in as there will always be people who seem to have a better deal in life. He should concentrate on his own income and chip away at his budget, then more possibilities will open up for his future.

the best post/advice i've ever read on here.

KimYeovil

Mishomeister wrote: »

If you are 24 yo without any family support and instead of working full time, you switch to part time to be able to attend DWP courses, your income(especially in Lodon) will not allow you to both pay rent, basic bills and be able to buy food.

Complete balderdash.