Leaflet E - Left school and not living at home

Please note: Before Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance can be paid, the Benefits Agency or Job Centre will usually want to confirm that you are no longer living with your parents/carers for a good reason. They may wish to contact your parents/carers, but should seek your permission to do so. If you do not wish your parents/carers to be contacted, and your evidence is not accepted, you can nominate a third party to support your claim (e.g. a social worker, voluntary worker or an adult relative).
See leaflets A & B to check your eligibility to claim.

>>>Up to the September after you leave Year 11 you may be able to claim Income Support.
From September onwards if you decide to go back into full time education (college or 6th Form):
>You should continue to claim Income Support from the Benefits Agency until the end of the course or your nineteenth birthday, whichever is soonest.
>You need to prove to the Benefits Agency that you have enrolled on a full time non-advanced course. A letter from your college should be acceptable.
Please note: ’full time non-advanced education’ means a course up to and including A-Level standard, of at least 12 hours a week, being studied at school, college or sixth form.

What to do next:
>Go to your local Benefit Agency/ Job Centre Plus office and ask for the A1 Income Support form, or phone them and get the form sent out to you.
>Complete the form and take it back to the Benefit Agency office/ Job Centre Plus, where you will be interviewed to check out your circumstances. A decision will be made about your claim.
>During this time, if you wish to look for jobs, training or college courses, you can contact your local Connexions Office for help.

>>>If you are not in work, training or education:
You may be able to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance if you are unemployed and looking for work and training and registered at the local Connexions Office.

What to do next:
>Go to your local Connexions Office and ask for form ES9 or ES11.
>Take this form to the Job Centre and ask to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance. You will then be interviewed to check out your circumstances. A decision will be made about your claim.
>After this, and in order to keep claiming this benefit, you will need to attend the Connexions office every 2 weeks and apply for jobs and training schemes.
>Your Personal Adviser can help you decide what types of jobs and training may suit you, and can arrange interviews for you.
Bridging Allowance may be available if you have been in jobs or training after certain dates. There are also other specific circumstances where this benefit may be claimed (e.g. if you have a disability). Please ask for further details at your local Connexions Office.

Bridging Allowance may be available if you have been in jobs or training after certain dates. There are also other specific circumstances where this benefit may be claimed (e.g. if you have a disability). Please ask for further details at your local Connexions Office.
Crisis Loan:
If you are in particular need of money (e.g. for food) and cannot wait until your first payment of benefit is made, then you may be able to claim a Crisis Loan. Please ask about this at your local Benefits Agency or Job Centre for more information.
Housing Benefit:
If you pay rent, Housing Benefit may be available, even if you have been refused other benefits. You need proof of how much you pay, e.g. a tenancy agreement or a letter from your landlord. There are a number of extra rules that apply to Young People. Forms to start your claim are included in the Benefits pack available at Job Centres or Benefits Agencies, and are also available from local Housing Offices.

DISCLAIMER:
Connexions Surrey has made every attempt to ensure that the above general information is correct. However, decisions on Benefit payments is the responsibility of the Benefits Agency.
Surrey Connexions cannot be held responsible for any decisions that do not appear to be consistent with the information contained in this leaflet.