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

[Sweeshhh]

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?

This. He's 18! He needs your support to improve his mental health & attitude to work

Claiming UC doesn't go on his CV. Employers will care that there's a gap, not what benefits he was claiming during it. UC won't help him find a job, he'll be doing that part by himself anyway. All it does is give him an income whilst unemployed and sanction him by taking part of that income away if he doesn't try hard enough to find a new job. They will expect him to look for, and accept, any job. Not just his preferred role/industry.

There could be some benefits in applying for UC in terms of help which is only available to those in the system. DS had a gap year during Covid and there we're definitely things not available to him as he wasn't claiming UC. Savings in their own name over I think £6k would put them at nil UC though.

This should be a good time to apply for seasonal jobs with the chance of continuing employment. I would suggest DS looks at google maps and makes a list of every business he could possibly work for and then checks their website to see if they are currently recruiting. It's basically a numbers game - the more jobs he applies for the greater chance of success. There are so many students currently trying to find work with varying degrees of success so it can be much more challenging than you may think. It's also horribly demotivating getting nothing back so important to have other things going on to focus on.

Don't think you can get UC if you chose to leave a job.

Also this. He quit voluntarily so there will be a period of time before he's allowed to claim. You can only claim straight away if you're made redundant. You can't decide to quit and have UC instead else every workshy person in the country would be doing that.

I think they were strict with him because they did not want a young person to think uc is easy money.

They are strict with everyone, it wasn't because your DC was young. Anyone capable of work is expected to look for and accept any work they're capable of doing. UC is for those without a job, too sick to work or with insufficient earnings to survive. Not for those with a job they don't like and want to quit it. Or those who want to take their time searching for a preferred job and remain unemployed whilst doing so. A person can do those things if they wish, but they are lifestyle choices that must be funded by the individual or their family.

I’m guessing it’s more effort to successfully apply for UC than get a job.

Ask your son two questions: 1. What is he good at (eg helping people, organising stuff, making things)? And 2. what is he interested in (eg sport, travel, gaming)? Then try and combine the two responses, so if it’s helping people and sport, a job at Sport Direct or in a gym is a good starting point.

My DS has had to claim UC as he cannot get a job. Despite everyone claiming its easy to get one it really isn't.

I agree, it’s not easy in every area.
DS has been applying for lots of jobs since finishing college in June. He has finally got a seasonal job that starts next week, but even that is only one shift a week for 6 weeks. He has had to claim UC.

my dd applied for UC while job searching
i really cant see why not
it is sensible

He should be job hunting and or studying.

Temp Christmas job in warehouse?

He would do well on an Apprenticeship. They will look after someone with anxiety or other needs, and Apprenticeships are very supported. Tell him to Google Find An Apprenticeship and take it from there.

That is such a shame.

My daughter, who was unemployed after failing her first year at uni and lacks confidence, used it and had an administration placement with an off shoot of the council. When it finished she was transferred to a council job. She is good at her job but would not have passed the interview for it due to her shyness.

I also referred her to the Prince's Trust programme and that was helpful too.

There carrying adults that just that extra support.

The good thing is that it's a good time to be job hunting for retail or services in the run up to Christmas. There are signs up everywhere in our town centre in the small shops and restaurants plus all the big places are doing their annual drives. He needs to be fast though, I'm assuming he's applied for loads already?

It seems a bit early to be thinking about UC when there are loads of temporary jobs out there at the moment. That's not to say he shouldn't access it if required.

When I was unemployed after my first job it was hard, really hard. I applied for Job seekers allowance but our household income was 'too high' which was one adult on a very entry level wage. I cried and cried when I got the letter as I felt I was doing everything I could to find a job and the wasn't supported at all by the state and it was like kicking me when I was already very down. Never mind. Many moons ago now.