17 year old - can they claim anything?

Hello

I have a 17 year old client who has worked full time for 12 months on a year long apprenticeship. which ends soon. He lives with his parents and hasn’t got another job to go to.

He won’t be able to claim JSA when he finishes workas won’t meet contribution conditions and doesn’t meet criteria for ib JSA i.e. not estranged from parents, etc.

His parents can’t claim CB/CTC as he isn’t in eductaion.

Can he claim Hardship Allowance? Does he have to claim JSA and be disallowed and then claim HA?

Thanks

Yes, apply for JSA in the normal way. In my recent experience the claim was then referred to the young persons adviser at the local JCP. The decision whether to issue a severe hardship direction is discretionary and there is no right of appeal. Your client will need to show that it is not reasonable for his or her parents to continue supporting him, but the fact that he is still living at home should not in itself be grounds for refusal (CPAG p.928).

In my recent case, I had great trouble getting the young persons adviser to follow DWP guidance (you can find this in the toolkit).

Hello

Now realised that claimants who are 16/17 yo can only get Hardship Payments if in specified groups who can claim IS/JSA under 18 yo ie. estranged from parents , caring, etc

I don’t think he’ll be able to claim anything