Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
If you decide to stay on in full time education or training you may be eligible for EMA, which is a weekly payment of up to £30 a week depending on how much your household income is. It is available to help you to buy books and other materials for your course, pay for travel costs and other expenses. You will need to have a bank account as your EMA would be paid directly into your account.

Also see
www.direct.gov.uk/ema

Child Benefit
This is paid to your parents/carers if you are studying full time or for a limited period if you are unemployed when you leave school/college.

Also see
www.direct.gov.uk

Funding for Education
Colleges and sixth forms have a limited amount of money available to help students in most need with things like travel cost or book and equipment. Speak to the school or college for more details.

Income support
This is extra money to help you if you are on a low income. It is for people who don't have to sign on as unemployed.

This could be if you are:

  • sick or disabled
  • a lone parent responsible for a child under 12 years of age
  • a carer, or
  • registered blind.

Can I get Income Support?

It is for people who:

  • are 16 to 59 years old
  • have a low income
  • work less than 16 hours a week
  • are not in full-time study
  • do not get Jobseeker's Allowance
  • do not have savings above £16,000, and
  • live in Great Britain

For more information visit jobs centre plus

JSAs
Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) is the main benefit for people of working age who are out of work.

Who is eligible?
If you're out of work or working less than 16 hours a week on average, you may be able to get Jobseeker's Allowance.

You must be:

  • capable of working
  • available for work
  • actively seeking work
  • below state pension age

New Deal
New Deal seeks to provide new opportunities to unemployed young people to train and to gain work experience, so that you have the skills that you need.

For more information visit job centre plus

National Insurance Card
How to request a new National Insurance Card

  • If you have lost or had your NI car stolen you can request a new one by contacting the National Insurance Registration Helpline on 0845 915 7006

I am 16 years old and haven’t received my National Insurance number card. What do I do?

  • National Insurance Numbers are generated automatically where Child Benefit has been in payment for a child; the numbers are issued at 15 years and 9 months. If you have not yet received a National Insurance card soon after reaching 15 years and 9 months, you can contact the National Insurance Registration Helpline on 0845 915 7006.

For more information about the National Insurance Card click here

Other Financial Support
If you are aged 16 or over and on a low income, you may be able to apply for financial help from the government. Exactly how much you’ll get will depend on your age and your personal circumstances.

Also see

www.direct.gov.uk

Care to Learn
If you’re a young parent and want to continue learning then you may be eligible for help with childcare and travel costs.

Also see

www.direct.gov.uk/caretolearn

Other useful links

www.lawstuff.org.uk - about young peoples legal rights and the laws affecting them