Care and support

Benefits for young people

These pages look at how you can get income support, jobseeker's allowance, the new employment and support allowance, housing benefit and other types of cash help if you are a young person, especially if you are 16 or 17 years old.

Most 16 and 17 year olds cannot get means-tested benefits. Young people are expected to be supported by parents, and be in education, employment or training. However, sometimes you can qualify for benefit, using special rules that only apply to 16 and 17 year olds (and some 18 to 20 year olds who are still in non-advanced education).

See later section for when someone can claim benefits for you. Once you reach 18, the normal rules for adults usually apply.

Which benefits can you get?

Income support is only paid to people who don't have to sign-on as unemployed (such as single parents, some people who are unfit for work, carers etc). Jobseeker's allowance (JSA) is paid to unemployed people. Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is paid to people who are unfit for work and made their claim for benefit after October 27th 2008.

The rules can be complicated - so if in doubt seek further advice.

Connexions is a good place to go for help and advice.

• Benefits are mainly paid by jobcentre plus. You will have a personal adviser at jobcentre plus who will talk to you about jobs and money, even if you are a lone parent or disabled and don’t have to sign on.
  
• Since October 2008, employed 16-17 year olds have been entitled to a national minimum wage of £3.53 per hour.
• The rate of the national minimum wage for 18-21 year olds is currently £4.77 per hour.
• There are special rules for 16/17 year olds who are in care or who leave care.