Money for employment & work-based learning

Advanced Apprenticeships

These are jobs and pay a wage, which should be at least £80 per week.

Apprenticeships

If the Apprenticeship is a job (employed status) it pays a wage, see above.

If the Apprenticeship is not a job (sometimes called ‘programme led’)

• You receive Child Benefit

• Depending on your household income, your teenager may receive the Education Maintenance Allowance

For more details visit:

Apprenticeships
LSC Directions

Entry to Employment (e2e)

E2e can help 16-18 year-olds who aren’t yet ready for work

• From April 1st 2008, all young people on e2e will receive the full, £30 Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) plus bonuses – no means testing needed

• You receive Child Benefit

For more details check the EMA website or call 0808 1016 219

Help with childcare costs

There is help from the Care to Learn fund. See Money for Further Education for more information.

Employment

• Wages vary between employers
• The National Minimum Wage £3.68 at age 16-17 but doesn’t apply to work based learning
• Your teenager starts paying National Insurance contributions once they earn £100 or more per week
• If your teenager earns less than the National Insurance Threshold (currently £90 per week) it may affect their entitlement to benefits in the future

These rates usually change in April or October – check the HMRC or BERR websites for more information.

Child Benefit

Child Benefit can continue after finishing Year 11, either until:
• The Monday following 31 August
Or
• Your teenager starts work or employed status work based learning (whichever comes sooner)

If your teenager is staying in full time education see the Money for Further Education section.

Child Benefit Extension

If Child Benefit ends and your teenager isn’t in work / work based learning / full time education, you may be able to claim Child Benefit Extension.

This can normally continue for up to 20 weeks after the official school leaving date, Personal Advisers will have more details.

Job Seekers Allowance

Normally, young people cannot claim Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) until they are 18. However:
• They can receive JSA for a short time in certain circumstances (known as ‘Hardship’) – normally if they cannot live at home or if their parents / carers are on a low income
• To start making a claim they need to visit their Connexions Centre

Income Support

Young people may be able to claim Income Support at age 16+ if:
• They are unable to work (e.g. if they are sick or a lone parent)
• They are in full time education and estranged from their parents / carers

Disability Allowance

You may be entitled to some benefits if your teenager has a disability. Call the Benefit Enquiry Line for more information – 0800 882 200.

Registering for work and claiming benefits

If your teenager leaves school and doesn’t have a job or a place at college / sixth form / work based learning, they should register at their Connexions Centre. The official school leaving date for 2009 is Friday 26 June.

For more details about benefits

Contact your local Department for Work and Pensions or Job Centre Plus

Sheffield Jobcentre Plus
0845 606 0234

Benefit Enquiry Line
0800 882 200
(For people with disabilities or their parents / carers)

Remember!
Information about money matters can change. Connexions Personal Advisers will have details, or check the Direct.gov website