Benefits for teenagers who are 16 or 17

During pregnancy: If your parents are unemployed or claiming benefits they should be getting Child Benefit, as well as IS or income-based JSA for you. They can keep claiming this extra money for you until your baby is born. They should tell the Benefits Agency that you are pregnant because they will be entitled to receive milk tokens for you.You can claim IS in your own right once you are 29 weeks pregnant (11 weeks before your baby is due) if you leave school. You will then be able to receive IS of £32.50 per week as well as a Sure Start Maternity Grant of £500, but you will not be able to claim benefits at the same time as studying until after your child is born. If your parents are working, you can claim IS once you are 29 weeks pregnant (11 weeks before your baby is due) if you leave school. You will then be able to receive Income Support of £32.50 per week as well as a Sure Start Maternity Grant of £500. You will not be able to claim benefits at the same time as studying until after your child is born.
After the birth: As a single parent you can study full time and claim Income Support after the birth. You are entitled to Child Benefit and Income Support totalling £80.75 per week whether you are still at school or not. Your benefit may be reduced if you do not give the Child Support Agency information about the father of your child.