We have five children, two in their 40s now, and three late 20s and early 30s. None of our children have every claimed unemployment benefit. The two older ones are in work and have been for many years now. Of the younger three, one has been to University and worked weekends and holidays, but still ended up with a student debt. The other two have done college and worked on and off for many years. At times when they have been out of work we have supported them. Our youngest son recently finished a seasonal job, and is now out of work. He has moved back home as with no work he could not keep his rented flat. There seems to be nothing around in our area.........but because he has never claimed unemployment he is not entitled to any of the Govt. help back to work grants that are given to businesses to encourage them to employ the unemployed. So........for having cost the Govt. nothing, he cannot now get various benefits. If he had constantly had his hand out every time he was between jobs, he would get more help now. He has just signed on for the first time in his life............

Sound advice backpacker.
Sounds like misplaced pride to avoid claiming benefits that you have paid for and preferring to take money off your mum and dad. As backpacker says he would have probably qualified for housing benefit and been able to keep his flat. What if you did not have the money to support him?

Crikey, two people agreeing with me!

I must be losing my touch.

He should sign on, but BEWARE:

I signed on as unemployed on 2 November. I have since worked for 2 days (on 12 and 13 November) as a supply teacher. This was casual work and I haven't yet been paid. I worked for a total of 10 hours, which means I remain unemployed and "signed on" (under 16 hours), but I will eventually be paid £240 gross, which means I can claim no money for the week. I knew when I took the work that I wouldn't receive any JSA for that week (fair enough), but you wouldn't believe the amount of paper filling this work has generated. Good job I'm unemployed for most of the week, because it's going to take a few hours to complete all the forms. :-(

I'd be really worried - I'm agreeing with you too.

Benefits aren't some sort of 'hand-out'. They are like insurance: you pay in so that when you need it you can make a claim.

By their very nature some will pay the 'premiums' and never make a claim, others will claim frequently; but that's how it works.

Spot on Davie...that's why it is called 'National Insurance.' The National Insurance Fund is almost 40 billion in credit so it is really misplaced pride by not claiming.
Oldjim when I worked for the Pension Service I frequently liaised with your charity to help out former members of the services who didn't have full pension records. Glad to see you are keeping up the good work.c

As I was a trained Advisor ,anyone who plays silly games against the basic rules has no benefit (sorry pun not intended ) as so advised the Regulation are established via LAW of this UK so its NOT charity .Further , as students they ALL join Students Union automatically there fore its part & parcel of learning & further Education ,I would expect lack of info & such other insinuations on drop outs,but, not from those taking higher Education ,These Publications will be in all Universitys also other special Advisory Organisations C.P.A.Group which have a web site too & Public Libraries . Any way if these so called wise & rich students are embarrassed cliaming they could give that welfare money to Charity