Benefits

State benefits are not just for people who are out of work. Help is also available for a range of circumstances relevant to young adults - such as when you are on a low income or if you are continuing with education after you turn 16.

The articles linked to below will help you:

understand what benefits might be available
know how, and where, to claim them
understand what financial help may be available if you want to continue learning after you turn 16

Quick intro

What benefits are available to young people?
You may be entitled to benefits if you are:

not working or have a low income
a parent or expecting a baby
disabled
a carer for a disabled person
continuing your education after you turn 16

It's up to you to find out what benefits you may be entitled to, and then apply for them. If you think you fall into any of the above groups, use the information in the links below to find out more.

How to claim benefits
If you think you may be entitled to benefits, you should contact the Jobcentre. You can do this in person, by telephone or online.

Help with the cost of studying
If you decide to stay on in learning after you turn 16, you may be able to claim an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) to help you with the costs of studying or travel. This can be up to £30 a week.
If you are a parent, and under the age of 20, you may also be eligible for the Care to Learn scheme.

Find out more

We've put together a short list of resources you might find useful. This is a cross-section to start you off, but you may want to do some more research. Some of these resources are on other websites, so you need to be aware that the FSA is not responsible for content you find on these websites.

Users can rate articles with between one and five stars; this is not an FSA rating. But we have marked the articles 1-3, based on how detailed they are. If you are looking for a very quick introduction, look for level 1; if you are ready to find out more, go for a 3.

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Direct.gov.uk - What benefits are available

If you're 16 or over you may be able to claim certain benefits or tax credits (government payments) if you're on a low income, looking for work, disabled or caring for a child or older person.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/Money/Fi
nancialHelpForYoungPeople/DG_10027506

Jobcentreplus.gov.uk - How to claim benefits

Once you have established what benefits may be available you can find out how you can claim them. Some claims can even be made online.

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/index.html

Direct.gov.uk - Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

Everything you need to know about the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) including how to claim.

http://ema.direct.gov.uk/ema.html

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