Hope someone can help. One of our residents made a claim for JSA & has been told she has to claim IS as she is still within the child benefit extension period. She is 17 and left relevant education last summer. She started a college course in September last year but gave it up in November. I have spoken to Job Centre who say she can't claim JSA as she is still in the child benefit extension period and has to claim IS. They say the rules changed last year & they quoted IS/JSA Bulletin 04/08. I thought that 16/17 year olds not actually in education had to register with Connexions then sign as unemployed. Are Job Centre right?

I think they are right. 16/17 year olds in receipt of IS while in full time non advanced education or approved unwaged training can now continue to get IS for 20 weeks from the date the education/training ceased (not the terminal date used for Child Benefit, but the date of last attendance) provided they are registered with Connexions. The change was introduced because many of them re-enter education /training, and previously they went from IS to JSA hardship then back to IS in a short period of time.

Thanks, Brian, that was really helpful.