To wonder why you get less job seekers allowance if you're under 25?

[MyTeaHasGoneCold]

I really don't get it.

Things do not cost less if you are under 25. Food, clothes, transport costs, etc are not cheaper just because you are under 25. They cost the same for everyone so what's the reasoning behind paying them less?

The only thing I can think of is that under 25's are maybe more likely to be living at home than over 25's...except that doesn't always work because I know plenty of people younger than that who don't live at home and people older than that who do. Yet the over 25 would still get more JSA purely on the basis of their age.

AIBU?

[Namechangearoonie123]

It's ageist IMO

And pensioners shouldn't be getting more in a pension for not working than someone on JSA either - that's also ageist

Adults should all get the same when out of work

[ravenAK]

No, I don't get it either.

I'm 43, & can't see why this makes me less able to work in MaccyDs or live in a shared house than someone 20 years my junior, should the shit ever hit the fan to the extent that I'd need to do either.

Agree that it's largely about infantilising/disenfranchising a demographic who don't tend to vote for the current incumbents.

[SingingSoftly]

I don't think it's necessarily easier for a younger person to get a job. If you have a degree and a couple of years of professional experience, then find yourself made redundant, it's pretty difficult to get a minimum wage job in a bar, shop, admin etc. You could probably do the job with your eyes shut but they won't even consider you because you don't have recent experience/are overqualified/they think it will be pointless training you because you will just up and leave as soon as you get a job in your field. And then someone who is 4 or 5 years older than you has 4 or 5 years more experience, so is more likely to get that job in your field that you are applying for.

[Numanoid]

Because there's absolutely no reason an able bodied under 25 shouldn't have a job.
An older person often has more responsibilities, or more experience and is looking for a job at their level, and can't take a job at mcds.

Also this. I agree with others about how ridiculous this is. Can't take a job at McD's?

In my previous job, I was more skilled and qualified than every single one of my managers. I kid you not. I was 24, had a degree, trilingual and tons of experience working in many different sectors both in the UK and abroad. Would it have been fair for me to have to take a job in McDonald's (which I would have done if I could get nothing else), and for someone else who is say, in their 30s or above, to get a "better" job because they're older?

[Numanoid]

I think most people would consider it reasonable for older people to have more privacy

Lol. Age doesn't entitle you to more privacy, that's a very odd thing to say.

[Ilovenewts]

I'm not so sure about that. It seems totally unfair - why should someone get more just because they are older ?

In this case (in regard to HB it's now 30 before you can claim the full amount) a 23 year old could have been working and paying tax 7 years. It just doesn't feel fair

[justmyview]

Ilovenewts Any age they choose is slightly arbitrary, but in general, I think it's fair enough for younger people to share accommodation if they can't afford to live alone, whereas I think most people would consider it reasonable for older people to have more privacy

[Ilovenewts]

*someone

[Ilovenewts]

Whys that just ? Compared to say some 26 ? Or 29 ?

[justmyview]

Because it's more reasonable to expect people under 25 to share a house with flatmates?

[Pumpkinpositive]

Because you haven't made the same NI contributions as someone older?

What about someone over 25 who has a very checkered if not almost non existent work history? As opposed to a 24 year old who has worked every day since the age of 16?

I am well over 25 and I think it's outrageous. But then, I've never really understood a lower minimum wage for 16-18 year olds.

And I'm on the fence about taxation for under 18s at all. No taxation without representation and all that. #commie

[deakymom]

"there is absolutely no reason why an able bodied young person should not have a job?" move to my area and find a job! all there is this week is the fabled zero hour contract one (fabled because they take people on train them give them hours one week nothing the next then advertise for more workers) or a voluntary job or you could work in the heart foundation shop which is advertised as "full time" but is in reality 6 hours on a sunday none of these pay the rent yes the economy is getting better but not for everyone and NOT everywhere

[deakymom]

clearly its because your slimmer and don't need as much food? i left home at 18 no subsidy from them

[TheBuskersDog]

Slightly different but same age discrimination, my son is 21 and severely learning disabled and will never be able to work, can never improve his 'lot' in life.
When it is assessed how much of his benefits he must contribute towards his care package from Social Services he has a lower allowance because he is under 25, but elderly people (I think 75+ but may be wrong) get to keep even more of their money. Also many of the things that can be deducted are weighted towards the elderly, help with doing your hair, podiatry etc.
He is a physically able young man, needs to be out and about doing things and imo people like him need more money to live off than elderly ladies who have lived their life, don't want to be out persuing hobbies or going on holiday and don't eat much.

[ilovesooty]

There's no reason why someone should be able to turn down work not at "their level" by virtue of being over 25.

[Appletini]

"Because there's absolutely no reason an able bodied under 25 shouldn't have a job.
An older person often has more responsibilities, or more experience and is looking for a job at their level, and can't take a job at mcds."

This is one of the most ridiculous posts I have ever read on MN.

[Ilovenewts]

And I disagree that an older qualified person shouldn't be looking at min wage jobs. A job is a job regardless of age.

[Ilovenewts]

Yeah because it's that easy I was out of work for 2 months and applied for every job going professional level or otherwise. I only managed to get a job in a pizza place after I started taking some of my qualifications off my CV.

[arethereanyleftatall]

Because there's absolutely no reason an able bodied under 25 shouldn't have a job.
An older person often has more responsibilities, or more experience and is looking for a job at their level, and can't take a job at mcds.

[Marnierose]

Because it should be easier to get a job?

[Ilovenewts]

Because people care less about us ? I lost my (well paid) job at 24 and didn't get les JSA - is it new ? However under 30s do get less HB so I nearly lost the home I'd had for 3 years because of my age. Which is a load of shite.

[Appletini]

It sucks. Not everyone can rely on the bank of mum and dad.

[Uptheairymountain]

eyebags - NI contributions are actually kept in a different pot:

"The National Insurance Funds are used to pay for certain types of welfare expenditure and National Insurance payments cannot be used directly to fund general government spending. However, any surplus in the funds is invested in government securities, and so is effectively lent to the government at low rates of interest."

So when the government say they're cutting welfare, it's not actually their money to cut. It's a little like saying right, I want to save money so I'm going to tell those at No 53 to stop buying stuff so I can borrow any money they save instead.

[melissa83]

Its a silly rule. Age 25 is ridiculously old to live with or have anything to do with your parents finances

[LightastheBreeze]

i don't think you are seen as financially independent from parents until 25. I think that is the age that you can go to university and don't have your parents income taken into account also.