Income Support & Jobseekers Allowance

William29

Hi,

I'm 16 years old, still at school, and currently living with my parents.

Due to family arguments going back many years, I have been asked to leave in mid June. This is fine by me, as I am not enjoying living their.

I am staying on in school to do A Levels in September, so I will be in full time relevent education.

Because of estrangement from my parents, I will be entitled to Housing Benefit, which I've applied for, to my rent to my private Landlord. Whilst still in education, I'm entitled to Income Support through Sixth Form.

However, on the last Friday in June, I technically leave school, and don't start Sixth Form until September. So between then, I'm not in full time education, and NOT entitled to Income Support.

Apparantly, I will have to claim Jobseekers Allowance on the grounds of severe hardship (unable to buy food or pay bills), BUT, on the condition I have to actively be seeking work AND training, and I must attend relevent interviews with Careers, and Jobcentre Plus etc.

Can anybody here confirm that this is the case? Does the summer holidays between school and sixthform/college, not count as full time education?

Can you also confirm that even though I have a course lined up, and I've been accepted onto it, I have to blag my way through the summer, pretending to be looking for MORE work and training?

Thanks,
William.

exprog

William29 wrote: »

Hi,

pretending to be looking for MORE work and training?

William.

You don't have to pretend. Obviously you are not available for permanent work as you will be continuing with your education. There is no reason you should not do temporary work, if you can find any, which you might if you look.

Conor_3

Seconded. Where I live is a seaside resort. It's "traditional" for schoolkids to take up summer jobs working in arcades, chipshops, cafes, restaurants etc etc etc.

bestpud

I know they can pay income support over the summer, if you have a course to go to. But it is not easy to get, and not an automatic entitlement as such.

Whats wrong with signing on and seeing if you can find temporary work though? Tbh it will be good for you later on as you will have some experience of working and will therefore be one step ahead of many your age.

If nothing else, you will be getting interview experience? Also, they may suggest some useful courses you can go on - some that may help with your course and/or finding a job at a later date.

I guess what I am saying is don't dismiss it straight off as it may be better for you in the long run.

Good luck!

Oldernotwiser

Are you going into the sixth form of your current school or elsewhere?

William29

Its a different Sixth Form at a Sixth Form College.

Thanks for the advice. Could the poster who knows for certain they CAN pay Income Support between school and college please quote some sources or policies for me? This would really help.

I was tempted to get a job, however, being 16, most places take advantage of you and make you work for barely over £3 an hour when you're doing the exact job as someone 10 years older, but for half the money.

Without working ridiculous hours, I might struggle to pay my bills and other living costs.

What I am planning on doing over the summer, is taking up football refereeing. Its great experience for your CV, an extra qualification. And you can earn £25 for a 90 minute football game, yet because you have to pay for the course, crb checks, child protection, your own kit, your own boots, registration fee and transport etc, its NOT taxable whatsoever, and its classed as expenses only in the eyes on the DWP.

Thanks again.

Oldernotwiser

William29 wrote: »

Its a different Sixth Form at a Sixth Form College.

Thanks for the advice. Could the poster who knows for certain they CAN pay Income Support between school and college please quote some sources or policies for me? This would really help.

I was tempted to get a job, however, being 16, most places take advantage of you and make you work for barely over £3 an hour when you're doing the exact job as someone 10 years older, but for half the money.

Without working ridiculous hours, I might struggle to pay my bills and other living costs.

What I am planning on doing over the summer, is taking up football refereeing. Its great experience for your CV, an extra qualification. And you can earn £25 for a 90 minute football game, yet because you have to pay for the course, crb checks, child protection, your own kit, your own boots, registration fee and transport etc, its NOT taxable whatsoever, and its classed as expenses only in the eyes on the DWP.

Thanks again.

I'd give in to temptation and get a job, even if it means working "ridiculous " hours. That'll look better on your CV than the refereeing, unless you're planning on doing Sports Studies.

ukdickie31

I was tempted to get a job, however, being 16, most places take advantage of you and make you work for barely over £3 an hour when you're doing the exact job as someone 10 years older, but for half the money.

I think you have to move out of Teenage dreamworld and into the real world.

Few employers take on anyone without experience, references or skills and start them at a rate above minimum wage.

McDonalds may be a good starting point for you,,,

lil_me

ukdickie31 wrote: »

I was tempted to get a job, however, being 16, most places take advantage of you and make you work for barely over £3 an hour when you're doing the exact job as someone 10 years older, but for half the money.

I think you have to move out of Teenage dreamworld and into the real world.

Few employers take on anyone without experience, references or skills and start them at a rate above minimum wage.

McDonalds may be a good starting point for you,,,

Second McDonalds, not being sarcastic, unlike some. I've worked for them in the past, they treat staff fairly, work around college/school hours, offer good opportunities if you wish to take them and the pay for everyone is at a very fair rate. Some may take the 'pee' when it comes to working for them, but for some they can be a really good employer offering the flexibility they need.

Conor_3

William29 wrote: »

I was tempted to get a job, however, being 16, most places take advantage of you and make you work for barely over £3 an hour when you're doing the exact job as someone 10 years older, but for half the money.

That's because they've 10 years experience on you and as a school leaver, work wise you're basically worthless no matter how many GCSE's you have behind you and need to be trained which takes someone off a job who knows what they're doing and this costs a company money.