Are there benefits available for Apprentices?

Trevv

Hi, my son is lucky enough to have an apprenticeship. The problem is that the £91 per week doesn't go very far (his bus fares alone cost £45 per week). Obviously we help him where we can, but this is more difficult now that child benefit/tax credits have stopped because of the apprenticeship. Plus he is anxious to stand on his own two feet. Does anyone know of any benefits that he can claim in this situation?
thank you.

dseventy

Hi

I can't think of any benefits for him. Assuming he lives at home. The £91 is more than JSA anyway.

Trevv wrote: »

Hi, my son is lucky enough to have an apprenticeship. The problem is that the £91 per week doesn't go very far (his bus fares alone cost £45 per week). Obviously we help him where we can, but this is more difficult now that child benefit/tax credits have stopped because of the apprenticeship. Plus he is anxious to stand on his own two feet..

How will claiming benefits make him independant? Or do you just want someone else to help support him?

D70

maginot

As mentioned by the other poster, how will having benefits help him stand on his own two feet?

Regarding the benefits, as he lives at home it is expected that he will be supported to some extent e.g. Unable to get housing benefit etc.
Is he able to car share with anyone to reduce travel costs?
How long will he have to live on £40 a week e.g. When does his apprenticeship finish? It may just be a case of him having to have no social life until it is completed.

flutterbyuk25

£45 a week on bus fare?! That would buy a monthly pass here! Are you sure he is buying the best value tickets? Does the bus company offer a yearly ticket or a yearly student ticket (if he qualifies for it)? If so could you pay for it upfront, and he re-imburses you the equivilant weekly cost each week?

malky39

Not sure about any other benefits, but you could claim council tax discount because he is an apprentice i believe that it is the same as single persons discount at 25%

badmumof1

Trevv wrote: »

Hi, my son is lucky enough to have an apprenticeship. The problem is that the £91 per week doesn't go very far (his bus fares alone cost £45 per week). Obviously we help him where we can, but this is more difficult now that child benefit/tax credits have stopped because of the apprenticeship. Plus he is anxious to stand on his own two feet. Does anyone know of any benefits that he can claim in this situation?
thank you.

Short answer is no.
We are in the same situation here with eldest son but to be honest I would rather him be in this situation than on benefits.
He doesnt have to pay tax and to be honest they dont have much to pay out at their age and it helps them to budget too
I would seriously look into the cost of fares and see if you can bring it down with travel discounts on monthly tickets

DCFC79

£45 for a weekly bus pass sounds alot but it depends if he is travelling from 1 zone to another. For example the megariders/28 day bus pass for my area go up in price based on where your travelling to, lowest price is £46 but that just covers the local area then its £62 to include the next big town and it goes to £75 then £100.

gibson123

Trevv if you live in Scotland you can get a young persons concessions card to get 1/3 off bus fares. Just get in touch with Young Scot, I am not sure if there are similar schemes In England and ireland

Trevv

dseventy wrote: »

Hi

I can't think of any benefits for him. Assuming he lives at home. The £91 is more than JSA anyway.




How will claiming benefits make him independant? Or do you just want someone else to help support him?

D70

Seriously, if you can't say anything constructive then I suggest you butt out and keep your opinions to yourself. You know nothing of my situation, so who are you to judge!!!

Trevv

flutterbyuk25 wrote: »

£45 a week on bus fare?! That would buy a monthly pass here! Are you sure he is buying the best value tickets? Does the bus company offer a yearly ticket or a yearly student ticket (if he qualifies for it)? If so could you pay for it upfront, and he re-imburses you the equivilant weekly cost each week?

Thanks for the feedback, unfortunately we have done all the research on transport, and this is the best option...that's what you get for living 'in the sticks' I guess

marybelle01

Trevv wrote: »

Seriously, if you can't say anything constructive then I suggest you butt out and keep your opinions to yourself. You know nothing of my situation, so who are you to judge!!!

Excuse me? this isn't even your situation. Is this another overbearing parent who thinks the world owes their child a living?

Yes, your son is very lucky. He has a formal apprenticeship, and hopefully a future as a result. Yes it is hard as a young worker making your own way. Guess what - it always was. Does your (adult) offspring know that you are postimg on their behalf here, or that you consider that it is someone elses job to support them as they start out in life?