Estranged teens miss out on benefits

According to government guidelines, 16- to 19-year-olds who are estranged from parents, living away from home and in full-time non-advanced education (A-Levels or below) are entitled to £46.85 a week in income support. They are eligible as long as a third party vouches for their status, but that person does not have to be a parent due to the likely difficult nature of the relationship.

But Gary Vaux, who trains Connexions staff on the benefits system and is head of advice for benefits and work at Hertfordshire County Council, said he had found Jobcentre staff across the country are telling young people that, without speaking to their parents or receiving a letter from their parents, their claim can go no further.

"If you've been kicked out of home you're not likely to be able to get a letter saying so," said Vaux, who came across the problem while doing national level work for Connexions.

"Young people are losing out and it makes potentially vulnerable young people more vulnerable. If they can't access income support and continue to live apart from their family, where are they going to get their money from if false barriers are put in their way?

"It's a widespread problem that young people who are estranged are being denied access to income support while in education," Vaux added. "Jobcentre staff don't seem to be following guidance, because if they followed it most young people would get access to these benefits that they need."

A spokeswoman for the Department for Work and Pensions said it was not aware of any problems with staff not following guidelines. "Jobcentre Plus staff have clear guidelines on the benefit entitlements of young people who are estranged from their parents and will always deal with each case sensitively," said the spokeswoman.

"All enquires about claims, or indeed claims from members of the public under 18 years of age are referred to the young persons specialist in each local Jobcentre."