Zero hours worker help for loss of job due to COVID-19

sarahladds

Can anyone tell me if my 17 year old daughter is entitled to any financial help. She received a text from her employee this morning to say the pub is closed as of today, so she has therefore lost her part time income. She does not have a written contract but has worked 2 regular shifts per week for the last 23 months. She is also a full time student.

General_Grant

Just for the short term, is she due any holiday pay as well as pay for the shifts she has worked since those covered by her last pay?  That is, does she get paid an hourly or shift rate and then her payslip separately lists holiday paid or does she have to ask for holiday pay when she wants some?

General_Grant

It is unlikely she could claim any means tested benefits but Universal Credit would treat her as a student if the course would lead to a degree or HND (but presumably she is at school or college for A levels, is that right).  Does the course give a loan or grant for maintenance or is she doing a course which allows you to claim child benefit for her?

sarahladds

She gets paid an hourly rate and is entitled to holiday pay. Unfortunately the holiday pay has been exhausted as the holiday year was April to March. Currently studying for A-levels and turns 18 next month. Yes we do get child benefit but I think that finishes shortly as she is turning 18.

suki1964

Your daughter is one of 100s of 1000s, in the hospitality sector who's jobs are no longer there because of Covid-19

Unfortunately she is not entitled to a penny

The government are saying they are making it easier for those who lose their jobs dues to this, to claim UC, but we all know what a mess that is. However she should go through the rigmarole and apply

General_Grant

sarahladds said:

She gets paid an hourly rate and is entitled to holiday pay. Unfortunately the holiday pay has been exhausted as the holiday year was April to March. Currently studying for A-levels and turns 18 next month. Yes we do get child benefit but I think that finishes shortly as she is turning 18.

OK, holiday pay won't be much but, unless she took paid leave in advance of accruing the entitlement, there will be a small amount related to the hours worked.

Child benefit would end on 31 August if she completes her A level course by then and isn't going on to other appropriately approved training.