Can a 16 year old student get benefits?

ragz_2

My sister has just turned 16 and wants to leave home in the summer as she starts college in september. I can't see her being able to afford it. I know you can get housing benefit at 16 but not income support (I think?), so what would she live on? There's a £100 a month bursary (now you can't get EMA) but that's not enough to live on, though I suppose she could get a job...

any advice about the benefits would be really helpful. Obviously I am trying to talk her out of it, but she will want money advice anyway.

ragz_2

This board is here for help and support for those on or looking to claim benefits, not for judgement.

From Martin's post. I asked for advice!

ragz_2

So no one on here knows about benefits then, fair enough... I only asked, no need to jump down my throat, I am not going to go into the reasons why she wants to leave home as it's none of your business - I simply wanted to ask a question!

tamiami

And my advice is she either stay at home or get a job if she wants to move out - simples

morganedge

isn't income support for the sick?
I dont think there's much help available to her at her age and being that she will be at college...?

withabix

All of the posts have offered advice or opinion.

She shouldn't be entitled to ANYTHING, as she is deliberately making herself homeless.

She has a place to live. She should stay there.

tamiami

She's not entitled to anything. She can get a job and maybe rent a room in a house near the university - that's what the majority of students do.

ragz_2

morganedge wrote: »

isn't income support for the sick?
I dont think there's much help available to her at her age and being that she will be at college...?

That's what I assumed, and exactly what I will be telling her. I just wanted to be able to back it up. I have searched the government websites but they are rather short on advice for 16 year olds too. Like I said, I will be trying to talk her out of it, I really wanted to prove to her she can't afford to leave, though I fully understand her reasons for wanting to and I'd have her live with me if we were anywhere near.

Caz3121

where does she plan on going to live, I cannot see many options for accommodation for a 16 year old with no income (can they legally sign a lease?) The council may help with hostel/b&b if she is being made homeless
Full time students cannot claim housing benefit unless they fall into certain categories
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/paying_for_a_home/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/housing_benefit_for_students
Does she have enough savings for the deposit and rent in advance?
Is the college she plans to go to too far away to travel from home? there is some help for accommodation for students that are doing a course that is not available locally...trying to find the link

MrsManda

She won't get Income Support because she's going to be in FT education and is not a lone parent, disabled or a carer.

She's unlikely to get HB because she's a FT student

She won't have to pay council tax as a student

HB and IS are technically claimable as a student but only if she's disabled, has a child or under exceptional circumstances such as an estrangement from her parents or having no living parents.

Have a look here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/Money/FinancialHelpForYoungPeople/DG_10027506

[Deleted User]

Some links to appropriate benefits information:
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_money/benefits_index_page_ew/young_people_and_benefits.htm

It suggests that a 16 year old on certain courses may able to claim income support (which isn't normally available till over 18). However, this link suggests that its only for special circumstances

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/Money/FinancialHelpForYoungPeople/DG_10027506#

EDIT: Snap with the last link!