People aged 16 or 17 in exceptional circumstances

A person aged 16 or 17 years must be in exceptional circumstances to receive Emergency Maintenance Allowance.

When considering whether a young person is in exceptional circumstances you should consider:

• the reasons why the person would not qualify for Young Parent Payment
• whether the young person is, or is not, in education, training or employment
• the length of time the Emergency Maintenance Allowance is likely to be payable
• the impact that granting the benefit would have on the young person's education or training and therefore their prospects for employment
• the most likely effect on the young person's health or welfare, or the health and welfare of anyone who is dependent on them, if Emergency Maintenance Allowance was not granted
• any other matters you consider relevant to the granting of Emergency Maintenance Allowance