Benefits Available To Young People
I am under 18 what benefits are available to me?
If you're under 18, many benefits are actually restricted, but there are some under 18 year olds who would be entitled if they are in specific circumstances. For example, if you are disabled, if you have to live away from home for whatever reason, or if you are a young carer. It also it depends on what you're actually doing. Are you in education? Are you looking for work? are you in training? You could seek advice from the local connection service. You could go for independent advice at your local citizen's advice bureau, and they should be able to give you the full information.
I am under 16 what benefits are available to me?
If you're under 16, then obviously the benefits that are payable directly to you, are very limited. Even if you're disabled, and you're entitled to disability living allowance: that will be paid to your parent or guardian up until you are 16, when that will be reviewed. Other benefits such as child benefit, are never paid to the child; they're always paid to the parent or guardian, because "they have a child". Recently though, with the new age discrimination legislation, there are a couple of benefits, which for the first time can now be paid to the 'under-16s'. For example, statutory sick pay: if you meet the other criteria to be paid statutory sick pay, it actually would be paid to you irrespective of your age.
I am a student what benefits available to me?
If you're a student, the meaning of student could have a variety of definitions within social security. So, it depends on if you're in what's known as relevant education or if you are in further education or in higher education. And each three of those categories means that you may or may not be entitled to different sets of benefits.But broadbrush, in general most students cannot claim benefits. The few exceptions notably are lone parents in some circumstances, disabled students, some part-time students. Quite often the college or university has a student advice center. But also you're local CAB or other law center or advice organization should be able to advise you. So seek advice.
