For 18 and 19-year-olds, a free extra year of education in certain sectors is available. If you are a young person between the ages of 18 and 19, and you have been unable to obtain full-time job or an apprenticeship, you may be eligible for a free year of school. This option is called "young persons allowance" (YPA). There are two types of YPA: community service and work experience. With community service, you can spend your allowed year working with non-profit organizations that include youth groups, schools, churches, and social welfare agencies. You must agree to work a minimum of 20 hours per week and cannot be paid wages. Your service can be completed after you have finished high school or during your first year of college. With work experience, you can spend your allowed year working with commercial businesses. You must agree to work at least one hour per day five days a week and cannot be paid wages. You can apply for both types of YPA at the same time. However, you cannot apply for more than one allowed year. Applicants must meet several requirements to be eligible for a YPA. For example, you must be able to prove that you are not able to find employment otherwise. The Department for Education has information on how to apply for a YPA.