Why do under 25s get less UC?

[Cakeandslippers]

I've been reading about the impending reduction in Universal Credit payments and I didn't realise that under 25s get less money from UC than over 25s. Does anyone know why? It doesn't really make sense to me, cost of living is cost of living isn't it?

I've also often wondered the same about national minimum wage too.

Not trying to start a general debate about how crap/not crap the benefits system is, I'm just curious about why young people are entitled to less.

I think because if young people can't afford to be living independently, then they should be still with parents or in shared housing?
(Or a way of saving tax payers money).

It's based on the theory that younger people are more likely to be living with parents. Basically ignoring that many young people don't have that option.

Also under 35s are only entitled to the shared accommodation rate for housing benefits, ignoring the fact that many people cannot simply move out of their existing accommodation and find somewhere cheaper. There used to be a thirteen week protection period, where if you could previously manage the full rent you'd receive the full amount for thirteen weeks, but that has been scrapped now.

@TeenMinusTests

I think because if young people can't afford to be living independently, then they should be still with parents or in shared housing? (Or a way of saving tax payers money).

Circumstances change, all my siblings were living with their partners and had at child of their own by 25, as are the nieces and nephews that are hitting that age, I had a baby, a full time job and had living with my husband by the time I was 25, a few of the neighbours on my street are under 25 with their their own families.

People lose jobs, esp in the last year, if a 24 year old has their own home and children and needs help, they should get the same as a 26 year old neighbour/housemate in the exact same circumstances would.

It's all elements now, I think a 23 year old living in a flat share with the exact same job and health and circumstances as a 26 year old living in the same flat share with them should get the same amount of help. I don't know why they don't. It's not like companies charge less for under 25s, their rent/mortgage, utilities, fuel/public transport all cost the same as the 25+

Yanbu I don't understand it either tbh

Thanks all. I guess I'm not missing anything obvious then. I think it's a push to expect all people under 26 to live with their parents, I can think of a million reasons why that might not be possible - and what about parents who, themselves, are struggling for money but are being expected to support another adult. It just seems bizarre really.

@IStoppedWatchingTheWalkingDead yes I completely agree with you, being 23 is no cheaper than being 26 is it - it's not so much that I'm morally outraged (another post for another day) just baffled that this is not seen more widely, as massively unfair!

Same reason that National minimum wage is lower for different age groups

@ivykaty44

Same reason that National minimum wage is lower for different age groups

Yes I am also confused about that, as per my post, but I was wondering what the official reason for this is. Obviously the government want to keep costs as low as they can, but they must have had to justify this somehow?

I think that members of the government are in the very middle class mindset that every parent of adult offspring of course has a room for them available at home and usually wouldn't charge their adult DCs rent or just a token amount. Also that young adult DCs are often still studying, or in their first job or maybe an internship and will expect to live in a houseshare if not at home. Also that they won't yet be in long term relationships and certainly won't have kids.

Failing to acknowledge, as a pp just said, that a lot of young people are married with kids and have been adulting for years under 25. These ministers just don't understand because its alien to their own experiences. Also they don't want to understand because its a good reason to reduce the benefits bill.

But true that gas food and rent aren't magically less if you're under 25! And of course the state doesn't take less tax from you if you're younger..

Obviously the government want to keep costs as low as they can, but they must have had to justify this somehow?

It kept the employers happy who are more likely to vote fro them, cheaper labour under 25, then of course UC or other benefit Ould fall into the same line.

if getting housing from HB in the past - this is historic so not sure whether it applies to UC housing element - would give different amounts towards housing dependent on age up to about 25

These policies really impact on young people who have been in the care of the government/local authority as when they reach 18 they are out on their own quite often with little support but often have very manual jobs at low pay, no support network and until they reach 25 - 7 years later get shat on

Because under 25's who are working aren't able to afford to leave home often so why should those not working be subsidised to do so? But there's exemptions in certain circumstances, eg additional needs, former foster care etc

Because younger people are less likely to vote Tory and Tory voters are less likely to care about those affected. Essentially, because they can get away with it.

The minimum wage thing is to encourage employers to take on young people. They tend to need more supervision through lack of experience. If you had to pay a teenager the same as a 30yo, you'd probably never hire them.

I guess UC follows the lower nmw plus there's an idea that it's more acceptable to redirect young people to either be at home or live in a room in a shared house and therefore need less money.

There are exceptions to the shared accommodation rate already, designed to cover some of the situations mentioned above-

Help with housing costs if you're under 35
If you're under 35, and single with no dependents and you rent from a private landlord and claim Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, the amount you get may be based on the cost of a single room in shared accommodation. This is called the 'shared accommodation rate'.

The shared accommodation rate

The shared accommodation rate is the maximum amount of housing cost you can usually get if you are:

single

under 35

have no dependants and

rent from a private landlord.

This means that you will usually only be entitled to an amount to cover the average cost of a single room in a shared house in your area. This applies even if you rent by yourself.

Check what the shared accommodation rate is in your area by using the local housing allowance calculator.

Exceptions to the shared accommodation rate

The shared accommodation rate may not apply if you:

live with an adult non-dependent

are a foster carer

get the severe disability premium in your benefit

receive the middle or higher rate care component of the Disability Living Allowance or the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment or Armed Forces Independence Payment

need an extra bedroom for a carer who provides you with the overnight care you need but who doesn’t normally live with you

are aged under 25 and have been in care

live in supported housing provided by a housing association, registered charity, voluntary organisation or a county council (in England).

are 16 or over and have spent at least three months in a homeless hostel or; hostel specialising in rehabilitating and resettling within the community. To benefit from this exemption you need to have been offered and accepted support services to enable you to be rehabilitated or resettled in the community.

are 25 or over and are managed under active multi-agency management under the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements.

If you fall into one of these categories you should receive the applicable local housing allowance rate.

If you were able to pay your own rent when you moved into your home, and you have not claimed for help to pay your rent in the past year, the shared accommodation rate won't be applied to you for the first 13 weeks of your claim.

If this won't cover your rent

If your Universal Credit or Housing Benefit doesn't cover the full cost of your rent, check to see if you could be entitled to Discretionary Housing Payment.

From shelter- assume it’s up to date but the policy changes all the time

Maybe it's so the really young don't get comfortable relying on benefits and actively look for work.I don't mean everyone but it could happen.

I didn’t realise that. At 25 I was married with 2 children. That is really unfair.

It doesn't make sense to me either OP and it use to really annoy me when I was working in jobs that paid the minimum wage, like nurseries.
I'm 28 now but I've worked with children since I left school. By the time I was 22 I'd already worked in one nursery for over 3 years and at that point I was fully qualified and had a few years experience under my belt. There were staff members who were entry level applicants with 0 child care qualifications or experience and they were still paid more than me, just because they were over 25. IMO It gives 0 incentive to people to do the training now as the wage will still be based on the persons age and not experience or qualifications. Like many others I also moved out at a young age and had rent/bills to pay like everyone else. Luckily I was able to work my way up and get a better job.