A brief look at the most common benefits people claim
Child Benefit, Child Tax Credits & Benefits for
16/17 year olds
Child Benefit is given to a person responsible for a child
(normally a parent). If the child is over 16, and they're in
full-time education or approved training, payments will still be
made until they reach 20, as long as they were accepted onto the
course before their 19th birthday.
Extended Child Benefit can be paid after the child leaves
full-time education or approved training, but will end after 20
weeks, or when the child reaches the age of 18. To get extended
child benefit they must register for work with Connexions. Extended
child benefit can also be paid for young people under 18 who have
joined the armed forces and are awaiting placement.
For further information see the Revenue
& Customs website or ring the Child Benefit
Helpline tel:- 0845 402 1444.
Tax credits are paid to a person responsible for a young person
who normally lives with them. Child tax credits end once the young
person gets a job. If on a low income they may also qualify for
Working Tax Credits. See tax
credits on the Revenue & Customs website.
Most 16-17 year olds cannot claim benefits in their own right
unless there are exceptional circumstances of severe hardship.
Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
Those over the age of 18 who are unemployed but actively seeking
work may be able to claim JSA. You might also be able to claim if
you are working less than 16 hours every week but looking for work
that offers you more hours. If you're 16 or 17, you will only be
able to claim JSA in exceptional circumstances, for example,
estrangement from your family leading to severe hardship.
Housing Benefit
If your income and savings are below a certain level you can
claim Housing Benefit to help pay for your rent. You cannot get
Housing Benefit if you're living with your parents or other close
relatives and paying rent to them. You won't usually be able to
claim if you're a full-time student.
Income Support
If you're over 16 and unable to work because you're a lone
parent, a parent who has to stay home and look after your children,
registered as a disabled person, or you're responsible for the care
of a relative who is disabled you may be eligible for Income
Support. If you're a university student, on a training course or in
full time education, you'll only be able to qualify under special
circumstances.
To find out more about the benefits above and others such as
Employment and Support Allowance, Disability Living Allowance,
Carers Allowance and the Social Fund visit the www.direct.gov
website.