Any help would be appriciated, benefit help!

[kirsteen]

Hello I'm a single mum (19) of Oliver (1yr) and recieve Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit and Income Support, anywho I've been offered a full time apprenticeship placement at a nursery (32-40 p/w) earning £2.19 (or something) an hour. My question is would working as an apprentice I still be entitled to any benefits?? is it classed as full time education or work? im confused xx

 

[Mummy1995]

I think it's classed as work hun I looked at it.. at least I don't think you can get IS while doing it xx

 

[Dezireey]

If you work more than 16 hours a week and get actual wages from an employer that are taxed etc then your benefits will change. I think you will still get housing benefit, child benefit and child tax credit but you won't get income support.

 

[teal]

Agree with above about not getting IS but definitely find out if you can claim working tax credits xx

 

[Jennaxo]

But if you're working over 16 hours you will get working tax credit! You can get income support if you're working under 16 though.

 

[Dezireey]

You only get working tax credit if you are earning a really low wage e.g maybe less than £14,000 per year? ( not sure of exact amount) so OP could get that too but not sure if being an apprentice would qualify. Best to talk to benefits office or local job centre and also the new employer.

 

[Kate&Lucas]

Book in with your Jobcentre advisor and they can give you a full breakdown. It is classed as work so you'll not get income support but you will get working tax credit, and you'll still get help towards housing and council tax, as well as help towards childcare costs.
You won't be a lot better off (if at all) at first, but it's deffo worth putting up with for a year and then you'll go on to minimum wage for the rest of your apprenticeship.

 

[Rags]

Hi honey. Go to the UK government wed site on working tax credit. It's been a while since I looked it up but I'm pretty sure there is a clause about apprenticeships. Normally you need to be earning minimum wage and working 16 hours or more for working tax credit but apprenticeships are treated differently. It may effect your housing benefits but you may still find that you are better off. Everything is changing later this year with universal credits so speak to someone good at your local citizens advice centre before saying yes to anything. Good luck with what ever you decide.