Cannot expect financial support from parents

To receive Jobseeker Support Student Hardship a single young person must meet all of the qualifications and be going through a parental support gap. A 16 or 17 year old is considered to have a parental support gap when:

• they are living independently and
• you are satisfied that they have a good and sufficient reason why they cannot reasonably expect to be financially dependent on their parents or any other person

Consider it reasonable to expect financial support from the parents when the parents are willing and able to support the young person.

Ask the young person's parents this information (willingness to support and income details). Note they are not expected to provide proof of their income.

If the young person's parents have been living apart for some time, it is reasonable to ask both parents of the young person if they are willing and able to financially support the young person.

If the parents say they will support the young person, you should work through the details of when payments start and other arrangements for this to take place before declining the benefit.

For more information see:

• When financial support is not expected
• Independent
• Definition of 'parents'
• Unsupported Childs Benefit was paid
• Examples of good and sufficient reason