Do all 18 years old go on UC if they cannot find a job

[Crystalovertherainbow]

Do the family needs to show their income or the new adult is considered their own financial unit now , even if they live with the parents and their UC is given them

@scottishgirl69the point I and others are trying to make is resourcefulness. I’m going to do this whole post without an example as all you’ll do is take that one example and explain why you can’t do that one.

I have found this thread shocking. A very clear example of precisely why and how the country has found themselves in deep financial difficulties. I’ll add the disclaimer that I appear to have to add to the bottom of every post - if you need benefits, claim them.

This reminds me of my brother telling me I had no excuse not to get a job during covid as there were 1000s of vacancies picking fruit. Never mind that I had 2 teens to help with school work and can't drive so couldn't get to the fruit picking jobs!

We had a laptop until it broke. Can't afford to replace it.

Excuse me? I explained in an earlier thread that I'm on disability benefits for a limited period of time because of a serious accident - are you trying to suggest that I should be out washing cars? Your attitude stinks. I've done plenty with my life - including running my own business. You don't need to school me on resourcefulness thanks very much

As someone else said - millions of pounds of benefits a year go unclaimed - so let's not go blaming people on benefits for the current state of the economy

And if a job isn't forthcoming?

People who think being on universal credit is a lifestyle choice have clearly never been on it. A single person gets 400 pounds if they are over 25. Under 25 it's just over 300 pounds

You have to evidence that you are looking for work 35 hours a week or face a sanction

Try running a home on it and see if you think it's a lifestyle choice

By the way. There are people on UC who study. I've just finished an online degree. I wasn't on UC when I started it but I am now. People with kids and people who get PIP and lcwra can study full time and people on UC who don't have kids who are on those benefits can study a degree part time

There are lots of people on UC who are trying to do something to make their life better. Not sure why some people think that being on UC means you can't study - it's always been the case that people have been allowed to claim benefits and study part time

And if you are on a low income in Scotland NI or Wales you'll get support with fees if you study part time - lots of people claim benefits for a multitude of reasons. It doesn't mean they sit doing nothing

In my day, and how I was brought up...Yes, you go on the dole if you're not working. I think I first signed on at 17. I think it was £30 a week or something.

Idk if they can now if they've literally never worked?

I started full time work at 18 but then any times between jobs I've signed on. Probably in total across my life for about 1 year.

I wouldn’t encourage it, I’d expect them to get a job, but if it proves difficult I think it would be reasonable for them to claim
I wouldn’t feel bad, I’ve paid a shit load of tax in my lifetime and I expect my DCs will eventually pay a shit load more in theirs!

Agree, thoroughly shocking and dispiriting thread.

Personal responsibility I'm afraid. If they wanted a better job in the long run they could have gone to university. Many teens work PT even before 18. Use a laptop, learn to code, learn some skills.

Not everyone can go to university.

I always told my kids to work hard at school so they have good paying careers and don't need to claim off the state. And actually lead good productive lives and not live off the state

There are people who go to university who end up being made redundant. Including people with PhDs.

DD is in her 2nd year of uni, she's applied for probably 70+ jobs. Her current job is a zero hours contract. Some weeks she gets 8 hours, other weeks she gets nothing, its not enough for living expenses while she's away from home. But its not through lack of trying that she hasn't got anything more secure.

You come across as ridiculously patronising and condescending. Some teenagers don't have good home lives. Some end up in care or in homeless units. Some teenagers need to claim benefits for a time because they don't have a stable family home. Working hard at school has nothing to do with it. I have two undergraduate degrees and two post grads - it didn't stop me being made redundant twice

It must be great to live in a world where all you think that's needed not to claim benefits is to buy a laptop and learn to code

So all the people who are working in retail/factory/care/warehouse/cleaning/1001 other jobs but don't actually earn enough to pay their bills not leading productive lives?
Someone has to do these jobs. You can tell your kids as much as you like to "work hard" but life doesn't always work out like that.
Most people "living off the state" (ie claiming UC) have jobs.

This. I've worked zero hours jobs. Contract was 8 hours a week guaranteed and any other hours they offered you. Wetherspoon used to offer bar staff who weren't managers 8 hours a week - one of their staff in my home town left because he was getting four hours and went elsewhere

I think some people really don't get how hard it is out there - particularly if you live in an area of high deprivation

I was in Primark the other day and not one shop assistant was under 30... it was a Saturday. All middled aged woman. I was surprised.. .that was a kids job in my day! Shops, delis, gym reception, bakery, pub etc... all my girlfriends had Saturday jobs!

The State have decided that they will support people over 18 (if they do not continue their education), that indeed it is no longer entirely the responsibility of their parents. At what age would you stop supporting them if they are unable to find work? 25? 35? Never?

I have no intention of supporting my child to sit around for years, out of work, doing nothing.

They don’t sit around doing nothing just now. It’s just not an option.

Just like benefits aren’t an option.

I wouldn’t financially be supporting them to rot, and I certainly won’t be introducing them to a system that financially supports people to rot.

I grew up in an incredibly deprived area of the country. I’ve seen first hand what benefits can do to people.

When we speak about their future, getting a job after school or claiming benefits isn’t something that has ever been discussed. Why would it be? It is just not an option,

They are fully aware that the expectation is that they continue their education, and I intend on supporting them financially through that.

Their father and I have modelled a strong work ethic, and they are absolutely expected to undertake some form of part time work as soon as they are able to. Again, it’s just not something that is optional.

I cannot fathom why anyone would teach their children about benefits, or allow their child to view benefits as an option available to them. It is so depressing.

I cannot believe how normalised claiming benefits has become. All the comments about “being entitled to them” are shocking. My children may be privileged, but they are very much aware that they aren’t entitled to anything in life, and that they will need to work hard. I’m struggling to see what’s wrong with that?

In the gap between graduating and getting a job (about five months), I never mentioned UC to my son. I wasn’t sure he if really knew of its existence in relation to himself, and I was a bit afraid if he got money ‘for nothing’ he might not put his all into finding a job.

Once they exceed level three this will land them with an extra amount of debt to pay for for the rest of their lives and it may not better themselves or give themselves any more opportunity than they had before they had their £3000 per year of debt in exchange for a certificate in pot washing
Sorry, I meant hospitality level two

Presumably you were feeding him and paying other expenses though.
If you weren't what would he have done?
(also he wouldn't have been able to "do nothing" - you have to actively be job seeking)

Can't he stay with you, do his jobs and pay you board to make up the costs of having him? Or are you blanket refusing to support a child at all?

I don’t very much that any graduate would be enticed by £10 a day £75 a week to give up on all of their previous ambitions and aspirations in exchange 🙄

I think it probably depends on your background. I am firmly working class but nobody has ever been 'on the dole' in our family. Now that may be down to pure luck, who knows, but because it's not the norm in my family or circles, it seriously wouldn't have even entered my mind that an 18 year old living at home would sign on.

So true. Our local shops had adult managers obviously, but Id say 95% of the checkouts were manned by teens. And shelves stocked by them. And yes same in the shopping mall!