16 to 24 or recently left care
Special rules apply to some groups of people for some benefits:
- People aged 16-17
- People aged 16-24
- People who have recently left local authority care
People aged 16-17
You cannot claim Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit if someone is still claiming benefits for you as their dependent (e.g. a parent or guardian).
If you have been looked after by your local authority you cannot usually get Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit. Your local authority should support and accommodate you until you are 18. However, in some circumstances you may be able to claim Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance, or Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. The rules are complex and you should get advice.
See also the rules for People in Full time Education.
Aged 16-24
If you are entitled to claim Housing Benefit, the amount of benefit you can claim will usually be restricted to the "single room rent", which is the market rate for a bedsit.
See also the rules for People in Full time Education.
People who have recently left local authority care
If you have recently left local authority care, are under 22 and are eligible for Housing Benefit, the "single room rent" will not normally apply to you. However, you will be restricted to the market rent for a one bedroom property.
The Benefits Maximisation Service can provide personal advice on what you may be entitled to and help you make a claim. For more information go to Benefits Maximisation Service.
Disclaimer
Although every effort is made to ensure the information on these pages is accurate and up to date, it should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law.