Benefit for 18yr old son

[cosmobrown]

HI. I'm just wondering what benefit, if any, my son should be applying for. He is having a year out before uni, and so far has not managed to get a job at all.
Does UC count our savings, as he lives with us? Or just what he has?
If he could contribute to the household, it would really help at the moment.

If he were mine I would be encouraging him to see if he could undefer his uni place, or have a look in clearing (already operating as of the beginning of this month) to see what else is available... it's not going to be easy to get a job / relevant experience / travel for the next 12 months. Even volunteering opportunities will be limited to some extent due to social distancing measures - it's no longer "the more the merrier", it's got to be operationally effective.

He may get £79 UC, but this would be reduced if he has savings over £6k, and wouldn't get anything if he has savings over £16k.

I'd be strongly persuading him to try to start his degree this year instead of deferring. There will be lots of places available as there's been a massive downturn in foreign student applicants. Because of the drop in your income, he may well get a bigger student loan too.
When the furlough scheme ends later this year, there'll be an even bigger number of unemployed looking for work. He doesn't want to be on benefits long term, it's soul destroying.

My son got a job in a supermarket (at the start of Covid when his Alevels were cancelled). Since then most of his friends have got jobs in supermarkets, other retail, cleaning - so it can be done.

If he lives at home he can only apply for the minimum uc - around £80 a week I think. But I think he's not eligible until the 2nd September which is when child benefit (and the child element of uc if you were on it) ends - do check but was definitely the case in the past.

He can claim UC. However... I would push him more to find a job first, he should of found one before having a year off.
McDonald’s are always hiring.

And check pubs, a lot around here are hiring

My lot (or those that chose a gap year) did voluntary work whilst signing on. This was pre-Covid and pre-UC of course, but they volunteered in charity shops. It gave them time to job search, experience at retail work, meant there wasn't a big gap in their CVs and the experience socialising with others and learning new skills has stood them in excellent stead over their lives.

A lot of volunteers are elderly or infirm and may still be shielding, so is there any opportunity for him to do this while he looks for work, OP?

It depends where in the country you are. Looking on Indeed round here... nada except care homes . Ds has contacted all the pubs and none are hiring. Offices are all wfh. There are several big call centres locally and the drawbridge has been pulled up - no new hirees. Several people who got jobs in supermarkets at the start of the pandemic have now been let go as things have calmed down.

If he can take his uni place this year, does anyone
know how they work out his loan amount? Do they take our earnings as of now, or do they use last years tax accounts? If the latter, I don’t think we can afford for him to go to uni this year.
If he takes an unrelated job, then he plans to do some on line Academic courses to keep his brain working.
Originally, his plan was to get a year in industry, and (assuming he gets his grades) reapply to his first choice uni which he didn’t get an offer from this year. This genuinely seemed like a good plan back then.
Now we’re all bu••ered. It’s such a shame cos he’s a bright lad, and as a family we’ve never had to ask for benefits. We’re hoping dh can pick some casual work up in the spring when his industry starts to open up again. We are part of the #excludedUk 3m workers left behind from Sunaks rescue help.

"McDonalds are always hiring"
All the maccyds round my way are currently drive thru/takeaway only or haven't even re opened yet. So at the moment they have less staff working than they normally would.
What is the obsession with "anyone can just walk into a job at McDonald's"

Op get your son to have a look at The Princes Trust website. They provide lots of help and support for young people wanting to work.

What is the obsession with "anyone can just walk into a job at McDonald's

Dunno, its not like ds1 hasnt applied to mcdonalds...

And i do understand that some people are getting jobs...some are even ‘walking’ into them which is jolly lovely for them

But...while ds is applying for jobs and unable to get a job it would be great if he could get some help financially

Its not like he won’t be paying tax moving forward...he’d love to be paying tax, lots and lots of it

@DoIneed1

Op get your son to have a look at The Princes Trust website. They provide lots of help and support for young people wanting to work.

I’m obviously not the op

Or maybe its not obvious

Anyhoo...ive just told ds1 to look at the website so thanks

I hope your son finds something. It’s very hard right now. The care sector has vacancies and it will do him or any young person good to work in this sector. You learn so much from the people you see😃!

Not everybody is suited to care work though ,it's not just about learning about people it involves a,lot of personal care ,I worked in a Nursing home from the ages of 17-19 when I was doing my A,levels many years ago ,I went on to do nurse training ,yes plenty of young people both male and female make excellent care r,s but it's certainly not for everyone .

Yes, but the family need the money and he needs work and actually there are a variety of jobs in care! I work in social care and have done for many years and it’s always great having men and young people in any team. Especially good for young men with learning disabilities to have male carers. When I started I was hopeless but the the skills are there to be learnt!

Well As the parent of a child with severe learning disabilities who will one day be an adult I don't want anyone being hopeless or learning skills on my son! I don't disagree that it's great having young people both male and female working in care work just that it isn't a job that just anyone can do ,it's hard work both mentall y and physically and people need empathy and patience and the desire to help people

My son like others didn't...'walk into his job'... which is...'jolly lovely for them' - why do people have to have such a resentful attitude.

Ive walked into many jobs in my time...i once applied for Part time sales Assistant and walked out at supervisor. Which was weird to be fair

Why isnt that lovely

Id love ds1 to walk into a job

A specific poster said they knew people who walked into their jobs...which is lovely

Im not resentful, but i would like him to get help until he can help himself

My son like others didn't...'walk into his job

Wasnt even referring to your son

I was referring to the poster who said their relatives’walked’ into their jobs

@x2boys

Well As the parent of a child with severe learning disabilities who will one day be an adult I don't want anyone being hopeless or learning skills on my son! I don't disagree that it's great having young people both male and female working in care work just that it isn't a job that just anyone can do ,it's hard work both mentall y and physically and people need empathy and patience and the desire to help people

I honestly can't agree with this more.

Can he not start uni instead?

McDonald’s still has about 50% of their workers on furlough and those that are back are on reduced hours.
The high street is dead on its feet and most people who I know who work in retail(myself included) are looking to get out if at all possible.
Supermarket jobs are like gold dust and a lot of the casual staff tanken on at the start of Covid have now been let go. I know several who have got delivery driver jobs and they appear safe as the demand for home delivery is now so high. One man I know is working for one of the big four supermarkets driving and earning in a week what before he earns in a day but he is still bloody grateful to have the supermarket job.

Covid appears to have two extremes. Those happy at home on their 80% and saving money as they haven’t been out to spend and cancelled their season ticket and those who are just grateful to be able to earn anything.

Oh for goodness sake, people need to learn and can be very well supported in care jobs! I had the best experience when I was young and Now all these later I am always amazed at the way younger people can bring fresh perspective and energy into a job.

I don't disagree m just saying not everyone is suited to care work surely you can see that? I was a,nurse for many years I worked with a lot of support staff of all ages both male and female that were excellent ,some however not so much and some are just awful ,and vulnerable adults need people who are empathetic, and caring not t someone who just works there as it the only job they can get .