§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the minimum age requirements enforced by his Department. [15920]
§ Mr. BurtThe minimum age at which social security benefits become payable, and liability for national insurance contributions commences, is usually 16 years. Other minimum ages are given in the table.
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Benefit description Minimum age (years, unless stated otherwise) Category A and B retirement pension; graduated retirement benefit 65 (men) 60 (women) Category C and D retirement pension 80 Age addition 80 Widow's pension 45 Attendance allowance 65 Disability living allowance: Care component; three months Mobility component. five months Jobseeker's allowance (JSA) 116 JSA pensioner premium Claimant or partner aged 60 JSA enhanced pensioner premium Partner aged 75 JSA higher pensioner premium Partner aged 80 if awarded on age grounds, or claimant or partner aged 60 if awarded on disability or incapacity grounds Industrial injuries disablement benefit No minimum age specified Retirement allowance 65 (men) 60 (women) Industrial injuries benefit No minimum age Income support 18—available from age 16 for certain vulnerable groups Income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit pensioner premium Claimant or partner aged 60 Income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit enhanced pensioner premium Claimant or partner aged 75 Income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit higher pensioner premium Claimant or partner aged 80 if awarded on age grounds, or 60 if awarded on disability or incapacity grounds War disablement pensions: age allowances 65 War widow's pension: age allowances 65, 70 and 80 Higher rate of war widow's pension 40, if childless and capable of self support War pensions: higher allowance to child "over the age limit" and incapable of self support 18 Child benefit None One parent benefit None
Benefit description Minimum age (years, unless stated otherwise) Guardian's allowance None Earnings top-up2 18 Council tax benefit 18 1 For income-based jobseeker's allowance 16 to 17-year-olds have no entitlement to benefit as such because the Government guarantee a place on training or in education. Certain vulnerable 16 to 17-year-olds are able to claim under the severe hardship provisions. 2 Earnings top-up is being piloted in eight areas of the country, for three years from October 1996. It is an income-related benefit for those without dependent children (single people and couples) who work 16 hours a week or more.