Are There Any Benefits For School Leavers?

If you are wondering whether they are any welfare benefits for school leavers, you will find the answer to your question in the following blog post. Here, we will discuss the potential benefits that school leavers may be able to claim; as well as explore the application process for those benefits.

Are There Any Benefits For School Leavers?

Yes, there are certain benefits for school leavers; depending on their circumstances. Most school leavers in the UK are eligible for a range of welfare benefits, including Jobseeker’s Allowance, Universal Credit, and Council Tax Benefit. These benefits can help to ease the transition from school to work or further study and can make a big difference to your overall quality of life.

To claim benefits, you will need to meet certain eligibility criteria. For example, be a resident of the UK, have left full-time education and in some cases, be older than 18 years of age. You will also need to provide proof of your identity, such as a passport or driving licence.

School leavers with a severe health condition or a disability will be able to claim Disability Benefits such as Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments.

If the parent(s) of a school leaver has been claiming benefits on their behalf, school leavers older than 18 years (sometimes 16 or 17 years) of age will be able to claim these benefits on their own.

If you are eligible for benefits, you can apply online or at your local Jobcentre Plus office. Once your claim is approved, you will start receiving payments each week, which will be paid into your bank account.

Which Benefits Can School Leavers Claim?

School leavers can claim the following benefits; provided they meet the eligibility criteria for each one:

• Universal Credit: This is a benefit for people on a low income or out of work. It is a means-tested benefit, which means that your eligibility and the amount you receive will depend on your income and savings. School leavers who are aged 18 or over and meet the eligibility criteria may be able to claim Universal Credit. To be eligible, you must be living in the UK, have limited savings, and not be in full-time education or training.

• Jobseeker’s Allowance: This is a benefit for people who are actively seeking work. If you are aged 18 or over and have left school or college, you may be able to claim JSA. To be eligible, you must be actively seeking work, available for work, and not in full-time education or training.

• Council Tax Reduction: This is a means-tested benefit for people on a low income who are responsible for paying council tax. If you are a school leaver and are responsible for paying council tax, you may be able to claim Council Tax Reduction. To be eligible, you must be living in the UK and have limited savings.

• Child Benefit: This is a tax-free payment for people who are responsible for a child. If you are a school leaver and have a child, you may be able to claim Child Benefit. To be eligible, you must be living in the UK and responsible for a child under the age of 16 (or under 20 if they are in education or training).

How Can A School Leaver Claim Universal Credit?

If you are a school leaver aiming to claim Universal Credit, you can file for a claim online. If this is your first time applying for the benefit, you will need to first create an online account before you can apply for benefits payments. You will also need to make sure that you have a bank, credit union or building society account to receive payments into.

Once your claim is processed and approved, you should expect that it will take 5 weeks for your first payment to arrive. If you have any questions regarding the claim process, you can call the Universal Credit helpline at 0800 328 5644.

You can expect to receive the standard allowance for Universal Credit depending on whether you’ve applied as a single individual or as a couple:

• Claimants can get £265.31 per month if they are single and under 25 years
• Claimants can get £416.45 per month if they are part of a couple and both partners are younger than 25 years 

How Can A School Leaver Claim Jobseeker’s Allowance?

If you qualify for the benefit, you can claim Jobseeker’s Allowance online through the UK Government’s website. If you are unsure about the application process or your eligibility for the benefits, you can call the Jobcentre Plus office at 0800 055 6688 during weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm to seek advice and guidance. 

You can expect to be contacted by a Jobcentre Plus office after your application is processed. They will ask you to come to their office for an interview. Once your interview is complete, you will be asked to sign an agreement stating that you will be actively looking for work while you receive JSA. Claimants who are between 18-24 years of age receive £61.05 each week 

How Can A School Leaver Claim Council Tax Reduction?

Depending on their living conditions, school leavers can get a council tax reduction on their bill. For instance, if you are a school leaver and younger than 18 years of age, you can get a 50% discount on your council tax bill. Meanwhile, if you are living alone, you can get a 25% discount on your council tax bill.

If you are a school leaver and on a low income, you can avail of a council tax reduction based on your local council authority’s policy. However, in most cases, if you are between 18 to 24 years old and living in a Band A property, you can get a council tax discount of between £157.45 and £249.60.

On the other hand, if you are between 18 to 24 years old and living in a Band D property, your council tax discount will be between £205.65 and £313.90.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, there are various welfare benefits that school leavers in the UK can claim, depending on their circumstances. If you are a school leaver and are not in full-time education or training, you may be eligible for benefits such as Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Council Tax Reduction, and Child Benefit. It is important to check your eligibility and apply for the benefits you are entitled to, as they can provide essential financial support during a period of transition and uncertainty.

References:

Benefits and Money Advice for College leavers and current students

Information for younger jobseekers

Support for those aged 16 to 19 – Benefits you may be able to claim