Hi All
Young woman. 17yrs. Pregnant - Her baby is due 24/2 (- so well within 11weeks of EWC). She was in relevant education until Sept'09. She was living in the family home until Nov'09. She moved out because of overcrowding, but is not estranged from her parents. She is now living independantly, and recently made a claim for IS. Claim rejected on grounds that she is not estranged.
Is this correct?
I read the rules as suggesting that the estrangement rule only applies if young person is in education or training, - and that being within 11weeks of EWC and not in education or training will qualify a young person for IS?
Comments please

I agree - she is entitled to IS because, although under 18, she fits one of the IS categories.

INCOME SUPPORT (GENERAL) REGULATIONS SI 1987/1967
Sch. 1B para 14(b) at www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/a6-2501.pdf says the IS categories include -
Pregnancy
14. A woman who–
(a) is incapable of work by reason of pregnancy; or
(b) is or has been pregnant but only for the period commencing 11 weeks before her expected week of confinement and ending ... fifteen weeks after the date on which her pregnancy ends ...

Robbie

So do I. As long as she is not in relevant education or a full time student then she should be entitled to IS (all other conditions being satisfied) under paragraph 14(b) of schedule 1B of the IS General Regs. Estrangement doesn’t come into it.

However, has she actually abandoned her course or merely taken time out from it? If the former, then there shouldn't be a problem. If the latter then the decision might be correct.

Thanks for that. Good to have own thoughts backed up. Linus