Can I claim benefits on an apprenticeship?

The benefits system is really confusing, especially since the move towards Universal Credit. This means that, as an apprentice, it can be tricky to figure out how much you can work whilst still claiming benefits and what benefits you might be entitled to. The question of whether you can claim benefits on an apprenticeship actually comes up a lot. In theory yes you can. But it depends on your individual circumstances. Head to the help with benefits section of our website for more information.

Housing benefits for apprentices

You wanna know whether you can get housing benefit for apprentices, or anyone earning £90 a week. Unfortunately, the answer is probably not. You see, housing benefit is ending and you can currently only make a new claim if you’re at State Pension age or if you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing. But don’t lose hope. You may be able to get Universal Credit instead. This is something that’s actually replacing housing benefits (and other benefits). 

Can I claim Universal Credit on an apprenticeship?

It’s definitely possible to claim Universal Credit when you’re on an apprenticeship. The catch is that your course’ll need to be a ‘recognised’ apprenticeship. That means it has a named training provider, lets you work towards a recognised qualification and provides you with at least the national minimum wage for an apprentice. You also can’t have savings of over £16,000. We know it’s a lot. But as long as you meet those criteria, you should have no trouble claiming Universal Credit on an apprenticeship.

Remember, they designed Universal Credit so that you can continue to work and claim at the same time. This means that the amount you can claim reduces if you earn over £335 per month. For example, if you’re earning £90 a week you’ll be just over this threshold. So your claim will reduce slightly, but you’re definitely still eligible. If you still have some questions that need answering about benefits, check out our article on Universal Credit here.

Do apprentices get sick pay?

Yes, apprentices should get statutory sick pay, the same as any other employee. Even if you don’t pay national insurance during the tax year because you’re earning below a specific threshold. You can find out more about statutory sick pay (SSP) sick pay here. 

Just know that if you don’t get the correct, legally mandated, amount of SSP then you have grounds to complain and potentially even take your boss to court.

More support when claiming benefits on an apprenticeship

To check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit you can always contact JobCentre Plus. They’ll not only tell you if you’re entitled to Universal Credit but they’ll also advise on any other benefits that you can claim. They don’t have a specific email address, but you can call them on 0800 055 6688 Monday – Friday 8am-6pm.

For more information about apprenticeships, see our article ‘what’s an apprenticeship’ here. And you can check out the rest of The Mix’s articles on everything to do with work and study here. What’s more, you’ll find lots of useful information about apprenticeships by looking at the national Apprenticeships website.