Work experience can give you a realistic understanding of the labour market and will help you stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs.
It’s a great way to demonstrate that you are enthusiastic, that you are willing to learn and that you have already achieved a certain level of competence.
If you are in receipt of disabled students allowance you can often continue to receive this if the placement is an integral part of your study and is unpaid.
If you are receiving any working age welfare benefits you need to inform Jobcentre Plus that you are undertaking work experience. If you are not being paid for the work experience, any benefits you are getting should not be affected. Any travel and lunch expenses do not count as payment.
Incapacity benefits, including income support, incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance (although SDA was abolished in April 2001, some people still do get it), should not be taken away if you do work experience.
If you are being paid for your work experience there are restrictions on the amount of work you can do if you are claiming benefits. You should contact your local job centre for up-to-date advice on the amount of work that you can do and the maximum amounts that you can earn before your benefits are affected.
Find out more about how to get work experience