Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Is it better for DS to just try and find a job himself or go on Universal Credit?

62 replies

Sweeshhh · 29/10/2023 20:26

He's 18 and was working in an environment he really wasn't happy with.
He ended up giving a weeks notice and leaving.

He wants to just find a job in retail now or maybe something in manual labour.

Would it look better on paper if he just has a gap and finds himself a job or should he apply for UC?

He lives with me so has no income at all right now. It's not really an issue moneywise.

Will UC actually be able to help him find work? Or will it look bad that he's been claiming this at only 18?

OP posts:
user1469796848 · 29/10/2023 20:28

Get him to find himself a job pronto. He should not get into mentality that the state is there to help him out.

XenoBitch · 29/10/2023 20:31

If you can afford to keep him without any contributions, then let him job seek without UC.

If he claims UC, then he will be made to job seek pretty much full time job hours to get the money. He wont get any help finding jobs. Gone are the days of looking at boards full of jobs at the Job Centre. It can be stressful and demoralising nowadays.

Good luck to him

Original poster
Sweeshhh · 29/10/2023 20:35

user1469796848 · 29/10/2023 20:28

Get him to find himself a job pronto. He should not get into mentality that the state is there to help him out.

He's hoping they'll help him find a job.

He has really bad confidence issues and some MH issues so I told him they might be able to help him?

It's not about the money, it's about the support and knowledge of what's available.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits
Digimoor · 29/10/2023 20:36

We found UC okay - it's all online and on the phone now and a good intro to online gov tax stuff
The basic amount isn't very high £292.11 a month
The telephone checks seemed straightforward & just asked what jobs you have applied for, any interviews etc

Digimoor · 29/10/2023 20:37

They said they would send job postings over - not sure if they did or not
Indeed is a good place to look for retail jobs

BrightLightTonight · 29/10/2023 20:40

It would have been better for him to look for a new job whilst employed, but far easier to give up and live off the government.

UpUpUpU · 29/10/2023 20:44

in kindness, as his parent, it’s your job to help him navigate the world of work and finding a job. There are plenty of resources out there

XenoBitch · 29/10/2023 20:45

BrightLightTonight · 29/10/2023 20:40

It would have been better for him to look for a new job whilst employed, but far easier to give up and live off the government.

£292.11 a month is hardly living the high life that any sane person would actually choose to do.
OP said she can support her son financially, but him claiming UC means he can learn to budget etc for himself and have money for things like bus fair to interviews, buying clothing for interviews etc.
Hopefully, if he does claim UC, he wont be on it for long and will find a job.

Hermittrismegistus · 29/10/2023 20:45

It's not about the money, it's about the support and knowledge of what's available

The job centre don't actual help people find work.

AuroraForever · 29/10/2023 20:45

Job centre plus and national careers service are there to offer the help he needs. UC should be the absolute last resort in this scenario as he’s obviously capable of getting a job it’s just a case of finding one he will be happy with.

Kastri · 29/10/2023 20:47

Gaps are not good on cvs.He could get a job in fast food place and apply for what he wants to do while working even part time.References are a good thing to have,doesnt matter from where as long as they are good.McDs etc always need staff,they pay well and mostly young staff so he may enjoy the social aspect and build his confidence,network etc.

HelloWorldItsNiceToMeetYou · 29/10/2023 20:47

If he's only 18 is there any sort of traineeship he could do? There are some shorter ones around. Most local authorities have a team that support people under 19 who are NEET, they usually allocate them a mentor or similar. Could he do something like that?

strawberrysea · 29/10/2023 20:48

Sorry to be an arsehole but how is this even a question? He's a person of working age capable of working, of course he should find a job. I don't particularly like the one I'm in but it's never occurred to me that leaving and claiming benefits is a viable alternative.

treacledan71 · 29/10/2023 20:49

It used to be, if you give in your notice you cant claim benefits straight away. You get them if get sacked. Might have changed. Job centre don't really help you find a jobs anymore either it's all looking on line.

KateyCuckoo · 29/10/2023 20:49

I think I'd be pretty embarrassed if my 18 Yr old claimed out of work benefits. With your support and him pulling his finger out, there are plenty of resources out there to help him find employment.

Cascais · 29/10/2023 20:50

He should sign on whilst looking to keep his national insurance contributions up to date

Babyroobs · 29/10/2023 20:52

he may not even be paid any Uc for a while if he has voluntarily given up a job without good reason.

MyBedIsMySpiritualHome · 29/10/2023 20:54

He should get a job, any job. And then look for the job he wants.

PosterBoy · 29/10/2023 20:55

I would absolutely not encourage any child of mine to claim UC - and I'd definitely be doing all the leg work on the cv and job front with him.

But ...

There are schemes he can go on and training he can do if he is young and on UC so it might be worth a quick look.

Giving in his notice on a job means he won't be eligible for UC straight away though

fluffypotatoes · 29/10/2023 20:55

If he quit he'll not be able to claim

Ibravedaflood · 29/10/2023 20:56

Do you claim any benefits op? I do and when ds left school and was inbetween jobs I was penalised...

Original poster
Sweeshhh · 29/10/2023 20:56

I've never applied for UC or dealt with jobseekers for over 20 years so I was just asking what would be best.

Not judgement. He's a good boy with some struggles. He's not out to sponge off anybody.

Thanks for the advice.

OP posts:
RedSnail · 29/10/2023 21:07

Worth applying but as he left his job voluntarily he may not receive it for a while, if a sanction is applied.

youngestisapsycho · 29/10/2023 21:28

My daughter claimed UC when she was 18. They were very helpful in finding her work… they do the Kickstart programme. She was placed in a school as a TA. She has now been a TA for 3 years.

Findyourneutralspace · 29/10/2023 21:30

I think the fact he left his last job voluntarily would exempt him from UC for a period of time. There is help available for those who engage with the system, but making yourself unemployed is sanctioned from what I understand.