Aibu to ask Ds to pay this?

[Cinemaqueen13]

Ds is 18. He has finished 2 years at college and is looking for a full time job/apprenticeship. He does have a part time/zero hours job but you only get shifts if the contracted staff are on leave/off sick.

He doesn’t want to uni he wants an apprenticeship. All fine.

Dh has told him to claim universal credit until he finds a job. Before anyone starts benefit bashing, Ds really didn’t want to and is applying for jobs every day, but the job market is tough at the moment and he will need money to live off. We want him to face the reality of adult life and managing his own budget. There will be clothing, travel costs, hair cuts, his phone and so on.

I’ve said it’s reasonable for him to pay £10 a week in rent/board. He’s hoping he’ll find some full time work before he even gets the first payment, but if not is £10 a week reasonable?

Oh really? It doesn’t surprise me, I’ve heard mixed things about them.

This is why we’ve told him to claim, I’m worried it could take a very long time. It seems so much harder to get work these days.

Years ago you could join a job agency and they give you some temp work but that doesn’t really appear to be a thing these days.

Once upon a time you could have gone into our little town shopping centre and got something in one of the independent shops.

Now it’s full of empty units, charity shops and dodgy store fronts.

Doesn't change the fact you're not using the money for that and bunging it into savings.

£10 a week is ridiculous!! He needs to pay £100 a week and UC will pay him a lot more

Universal credit is £338 a month for an 18 year old.

Take something definitely.

UC won't pay for rent if you live with your parents. Our 33 year old SEN DD can't claim rent because she still lives with us.

I personally would not; however, I understand why you might choose to do this.

£10 per week seems fair.

Do you think it’s a bit mean seen as he'll be getting so little income?

I do feel that it’s a bit mean, but have my reasons too itswim?