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

What if one of your children suffered from depression and couldn't work? Or if they went through a traumatic life event and couldn't? What would you do?

I'm sorry but I cannot understand parents who push kids into getting part time jobs and make them feel like a failure if they have to go on benefits

Plenty of people have a strong work ethic but life happens. Just because people have to claim benefits at some point in their lives doesn't necessarily mean that's a lifestyle choice

People can also be bullied at work - badly. Or sacked. Or made redundant. Sometimes people might need to go on benefits for a few months for breathing space - or to keep a roof over their heads

Fine for you that you can support your kids without them ever needing to claim but millions of people are not in that position

I find it hard to believe that you would want to be looked after in your old age by a 18 year old who really wasn't suited to care work. Would that really be how you want to end your (or your loved ones) days?

Care should be better paid to attract the right candidates, not a general dumping ground for the unemployed.

If they can't get a job and their family needs some income - it makes complete sense that someone would claim UC. Not everyone has 300 pounds a month per child that they can write off

Did you claim child benefit for them?
Some families really need that child benefit and it leaves a gap when it stops.

I'd be fine with a 17 year old girl babysitting. I'd be less keen on a 19 year old man (that I didn't know), unless I knew they were DBS checked and even then I really would wonder why they were doing it.

Not all young people have the intelligence to go to university.

It's not for the family though, it's for the adult claiming it (not a child at 18). They have no requirement to hand that over to the family.

Each of our DC have their own laptops. If one breaks then we get a new one. They tend to keep theirs in good condition.

Maybe people should be more concerned about poverty and deprivation and why some families need to use food banks and claim benefits - including people in work - because millions of people on universal credit are actually in work and get top ups due to low wages or the fact they are paying a fortune in rent or both - rather than looking down their nose at people who claim UC

If I hadn't claimed UC when I was in crap zero hours jobs - I would have been homeless and unable to pay my rent. And I would have ended up costing the taxpayer much more than the 250 quid a month I was getting in UC and 250 quid in rent element

Some people don't have the money to buy a new laptop if theirs breaks

I live in a small village. He has moved to a large City. He doesn't want to live here. At 26 I think that's entirely reasonable and the opportunities for him are greater where he is.
I don't really have the room for 2 adults and a teenager in my home.
I understand that you will do WHATEVER it takes to not claim any benefits.
Maybe if the jobs paid enough to live on people wouldn't need to be supported by the State.
Of course if he really needed support then I would do so, as I would anyone.

@scottishgirl69you are a bit like the the drunk person at a party who is arguing the exact same thing as the other person. NO ONE is saying that benefits shouldn’t be there as a safety net for those who need it. You keep detailing various examples of situations why some 18yr olds need it, which no one is disagreeing with. No one is saying there’s any shame in it.

the only thing people are saying, is that they don’t agree with it as a go-to on your 18th birthday, if there are other options available.

the irony being is that its great that there is a safety net, but the more and more people who exploit it - we have had people in this thread who are on high incomes but encourage their children to claim it - the less and less money will be available for those who actually need it.

No they don't but they might help their family out if they are living under their roof - particularly if the family are on a low income

You get more obnoxious every time you post - your second point is also not true. If someone is entitled to UC they get it. Your posts show that you know nothing about the benefits system.

Congratulations on being better human than me I guess.
I mean, I'm not sure what your point is here?

What if one of your children suffered from depression and couldn't work? Or if they went through a traumatic life event and couldn't? What would you do?

I’m not going to start talking about what I would do if x or y happened to my child. Everyone in life has a cross to bear. No one comes through life unscathed. We all have our struggles.

I suffered depression in my early 20s after I graduated, and having the routine and responsibility of my job was the best thing for me. It wasn’t easy, but as far as I was aware, there was no alternative for me but to persevere.

I’m from a working class background, and like a previous poster said, none of my family claimed benefits, so it wouldn’t even have entered my mind as something that I could, or should, do.

I'm sorry but I cannot understand parents who push kids into getting part time jobs and make them feel like a failure if they have to go on benefits.

You can’t understand why parents would push kids into getting a part time job? To develop life skills. For work experience. Self esteem. Financial literacy. Responsibility. Independence.

There are worse things in life than a teenager having a part time job.

Teenagers having to claim benefits should be an exception surely, not the norm.

* Your posts show that you know nothing about the benefits system.*
precisely right. I don’t know anything about it because I don’t need them. Leave them to those who need them. I think you said you do down thread. They are there for you. Not for an 18yr old who doesn’t.
im not sure why you’re getting so irate at the very posters who are trying to make sure there’s more in the pot for those that need it.

DS finished uni took a year to get a job didn’t claim benefits because we didn’t need to. I looked after Mil for 10 years didn’t claim carers allowance, didn’t need to. I think benefits are for those that need them not free money for anyone that qualifies.

Aren't entry requirements extremely low at some unis?

University of Westminster computer science is CCC

You're in a position of privilege. You've said so. I live in an area where 300 people chase one vacancy. Not every teen who wants a part time job will get one.

Some people don't have A levels or equivalent. Some teens leave school with few qualifications

You're the person following people around suggesting people wash cars.
Once more. The more in the pot is a fallacy. If someone is 18 and entitled to benefit they will get it. Millions of benefits go unclaimed every year. Five posters on mumsnet saying their kids won't ever be on UC isn't adding that more to the pot

Historically, parents expected their children to go out to work and support themselves. It shouldn't be any different now., whether you are a low or high income family. Parents need to instil accountability into their children.

There are zero hour contracts, seasonal wirk avaliable. Not ideal but better than no job. In time they can move onto better jobs with experience and perseverance.

Are you saying you think everybody who wants/needs a job will be able to find one?

If there are so many jobs then why are so many 18-24 year olds claiming UC?