Money - 16 or 17, a school/ college leaver and unemployed?

Information you need to know

Can I claim any money when I leave School or College?

In most circumstances the answer is NO as young people aged 16 and 17 years just leaving education are generally not entitled to claim Job Seekers Allowance as their parents should be in receipt of or able to claim Child Benefit.

My Child Benefit has stopped. What should my parents and I do next?

Child Benefit stops on the Monday following 31 August, after your 16th birthday unless you have told the Child Benefit service that you are staying on in full-time further education or approved training.

If you are looking for work or training your parents can apply to receive extended Child Benefit. To qualify for this you must be ‘registered’ with Connexions.

How do I register with Connexions?

You need to visit your local Connexions centre after the last Friday in June of the school year you reach 16 to discuss your plans with a Connexions personal adviser. They will ‘register’ that you are seeking Connexions help in finding a job or training place and this allows your parents to apply for extended Child Benefit.

You can get Extended Child Benefit for 20 weeks from the date you left full time education or training. If you turn 18 during this extension period you will stop receiving benefit on the Monday after your 18th birthday. If your 18th birthday is on a Monday then you will stop receiving benefit on this day.

It is your parents' responsibility to apply for Extended Child Benefit. There is a

time limit of three months from when you left education or approved training to apply.

If I start a job or training during this period what happens?

Your parents should tell the Child Benefit Office when you start a job or training – the Child Benefit or Extended Child Benefit will then finish. They would then no longer be able to claim Child Benefit for you. You should also inform Connexions so that your record can be updated.

If I lose my job or training during this period, what happens?

Your parents can usually apply to reclaim Child Benefit for you at any time during this period.

But you must register (seek Connexions help in finding a job or training place) again at the Connexions centre.

If this is refused it is best to check with the Connexions centre and Jobcentre Plus to see if there are any other benefits that you may be able to claim.

When the Child Benefit extension period is up, can I claim any other benefit?

This is dependant on your individual circumstances and it is best to ask at your local Connexions centre where someone may be able to advise you. However it is a decision that will be made by the staff at your local Jobcentre Plus office.

Child Benefit Office
PO Box 1
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE88 1AA

Telephone 0845 302 1444
Textphone 0845 302 1474
E-mail child-benefit@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Last updated: 30-Sep-2009