16 yo JSA

[mattyn1]

My lad has just completed his GCSEs and left school. His school does not have a sixth form, so he will be going to college in September hopefully (depending on results).

He has been looking for summer work, but is being turned away by everyone as he is not yet 16. His birthday is at the end of July, when I suspect all or nearly all summer employment locally will be taken.

So my question is can he claim any benefits while he waits for college? Jsa seems to be for over 18s primarily, but the Jsa website mentions u18s going to the CAB for assessment and advice. As it is Saturday, I thought I would ask here before we ask there.

Anyone have any advice? I suspect I know what the answer is, but you never know!

Many thanks

[eybic]

There is definitely a tariff for under 18's JSA, I think the issue will be that he hasn't paid any NI so won't be entitled to a lot.

[Grenoble]

Worth ringing around the local charities - they might need some office help (filing, emails, etc) - and although (most) couldn't pay, it might be good for his CV if he can manage the gap in funds?

[anonymous-user]

My birthday is in July and never stopped me getting a job.

[Exwife]

That's because you weren't born in 1997 ...

[anonymous-user]

Sorry, but I think it's quite a weak view to just say to your child that it is acceptable to claim JSA especially when regardless of when you were born, it is always possible to find work from SOMEONE. Anyway AFAIK you can't claim JSA if you are in full time education or training and this includes going to college.

If he can't get a job, send him out with some cards, he can do babysitting, gardening, labouring... all under the radar of course but a 16 year old doesn't need to work many hours until they have enough money to feel positively wealthy.

[mattyn1]

And you don't live in Cornwall.

I asked a simple question, so thank you to those that have replied. It is a strange situation as he is not yet 16, he has left school, and not yet started college. As his school does not offer a sixth form, he is in limbo.

I will speak to him at the weekend - charity work might be an option - thanks Grenoble.

[Grenoble]

mattyn1 said:

I will speak to him at the weekend - charity work might be an option - thanks Grenoble.

Pleasure, great choice in car by the way.

Another thought - local Rptary club members might be an avenue for experience. The rotararians tend to like a direct approach and they would be easy to find.

[simon1987]

HOW DID THIS WORK OUT?

[mattyn1]

I could swear I reported this back here! Anyway -

We had a visit to the CAB - they were really good, and listened and paid us the due attention. However, he dug out the rules, and as we are British, lived here all our lives, and my son is not a father himself, or a refugee, there is no claim.
He did confirm it is a strange situation - effectively he is not in full time education as the school does not have a sixth form, and his college place for his chosen A Levels is conditional. What will happen with regard to this I do not know.

Anyway, my son has had his sixteenth birthday, played a serious amount of golf, and got his handicap down to 7. A new Sainsbury's store is being built in Penzance so he has applied there, which if successful will give him a job through the winter too, hopefully.

Thanks for the replies and advice people. Much appreciated.

[Shirt587]

mattyn1 said:

Anyway, my son has had his sixteenth birthday, played a serious amount of golf, and got his handicap down to 7.

Excellent prioritisation. It is relatively unlikely he'll get a break like the GCSE-Alevel and Alevel-University ones again later in life so doing something like handicap reduction is a perfect use of the time.

[Slow]

Shirt587 said:

Excellent prioritisation. It is relatively unlikely he'll get a break like the GCSE-Alevel and Alevel-University ones again later in life so doing something like handicap reduction is a perfect use of the time.

My dad played golf nonstop, used to leave school during the day to play.
He is now a caddy on the PGA tour.