Cash Help for 16 to 19 year olds and Their Parents

Benefits for N.E.E.T Young People- 16-19 years old

(Not in employment, education or training.)

13.5 % of young people aged 16-19 years fall into the N.E.E.T category.

Income Support for NEET young people :
The most common groups eligible to claim income support are

• Lone parents
• Disabled/unable to work
• Carers
• Pregnant + between 11 weeks before and 15 weeks after the birth.

Jobseekers Allowance
18 year old and upwards can claim Jobseekers Allowance if ‘actively seeking work.’
16/17 –year-olds: The following groups are able to claim Jobseekers Allowance. (NB. The majority of 16/17 year olds will be unable to claim.)

a) During the Child benefit extension period.
The CBEP is the 20-week period from the date that a young person leaves education or training. The NEET person has to register with Careers Scotland and meet one of the following categories:

• A member of a married couple/civil partnership whose partner is aged 18 or over.
• A member of a married couple/civil partnership whose partner is under 18 and * registered for work or training, or eligible for JSA/IS; or responsible for a child in the household; or temporarily absent from the UK to take child abroad for treatment; or temporarily laid off work or put on short-time (up to 13 weeks); or incapable of work or training because of illness or disability and a doctor says the incapacity is likely to last under a year.
• An orphan where no one is acting as a parent.
• Living away from parents, and immediately before turned 16 were in custody, or being looked after by local authority.
• Living away from parents who are unable to support them because they (parents) are either in custody, or chronically sick or mentally or physically disabled, or unable to enter the UK because of immigration laws.
• Living away from home because of: estrangement, risk from moral or physical danger, risk from sexual abuse, serious risk to physical and mental health, being under the supervision of the local authority or probation department, a need for special accommodation due to mental or physical illness or handicap.

  b) For a limited time after the Child benefit extension period.

• Up to 8 weeks following discharge from custody/detention if they would have qualified during child benefit extension period.
• Up to 8 weeks can be paid following a stay in local authority accommodation because the NEET person has to live away from parents and anyone acting in place of a parent. (NB In some cases the NEET person will not be eligible to claim Jobseekers Allowance as the local authority should continue support)
• During periods of short-time working
• While awaiting enlistment with the armed forces.

c) Anytime entitlement

• Part of a couple with responsibility for a child
• Eligible to claim Income Support but chooses to claim Jobseekers Allowance instead.  

d) Severe hardship provisions
A NEET person can be given an award on a discretionary basis to prevent hardship. The local office can make an award on straightforward claims but need to pass complex cases on to Under Eighteen Support Team (UEST). There is no right of appeal but the decision may be reviewed

Criteria considered by Jobcentreplus staff are:

• Financial and personal circumstances
• Health and vulnerability
• If they have accommodation and whether it will be at risk if benefit is refused.
• Whether they have income and/or debts
• Whether they have relatives or friends who can help
• Whether they or their partner are pregnant
• Their attitude to seeking work or training