16/17 year olds
Usually you can only get JSA if you are aged 18 or over. If you are under 18, you can get income-based JSA in the following circumstances, provided you meet all the other entitlement conditions.
•You are in severe hardship. All your circumstances should be considered. Payments are discretionary and usually for just eight weeks at a time.
•You come within one of the groups of people who can claim IS. These are the same groups as for part-time students who can claim IS (see
here).
•You are a couple with a child.
•You are married or in a civil partnership and your partner is aged 18 or over. JSA is paid for a limited period after you leave full-time education.
•You are married or in a civil partnership and your partner is under 18 and registered for work or training, or long-term sick or disabled, or a student who can claim IS, or a carer who can claim IS. JSA is paid for a limited period after you leave full-time education.
•You are leaving local authority care
and are a lone parent.
1C(LC)SSB Regs JSA is usually paid for just eight weeks.
Note: your local authority social services department may give financial support if you have been in care.