My child has decided not to go to college what benefits can I still claim?

apinner1970

Hi, I'm really at at lost what I am entitled to now my child has decided not to take her GCSE's again.
She wants to work 20 hours a week and in the evening take a learn direct course to get the 3 key subjects she needs so she has at least has some qualifications.
Will my child tax credits and child benefits be stopped if she decides to get her grades this way.
She is only working 20 hours.
I am on benefits myself,Income support and Disability living allowance.
Please will someone let me know of my entitlements as a single parent on benefits.

[Deleted User]

apinner1970 wrote: »

Hi, I'm really at at lost what I am entitled to now my child has decided not to take her GCSE's again.
She wants to work 20 hours a week and in the evening take a learn direct course to get the 3 key subjects she needs so she has at least has some qualifications.
Will my child tax credits and child benefits be stopped if she decides to get her grades this way.
She is only working 20 hours.
I am on benefits myself,Income support and Disability living allowance.
Please will someone let me know of my entitlements as a single parent on benefits.

You say your daughter wants to work 20 hours then you say she is only working 20 hours,which is it?
Usually for the benefits you get for her to continue post 16 she needs to be doing full time(thats a minimum of 13.5 hours a week)taught education(i.e.actually at college or 6th form),if she has left full time education then her child benefit should have stopped 2 weeks ago,and i think i`m right in saying the same would apply to ctc.
If however she goes to college full time your cb and ctc will continue and she would qualify for £30 per week tax free EMA,she could also work part time,i think upto 24 hours a week.

apinner1970

Unfortunately, I have no brain and if I did I would be dangerous.
My child did go to college yesterday and I'm hoping she will go today.
I just wanted to know if she decided not to continue, what benefits, if any she would be entitled to.
From what your telling me ,I would not be entitled to any further benefits.
I will call the benefits office later on this morning just to discuss options.
Thanks again for reply.

Oldernotwiser

Make sure you explain to her how much of her money she'll have to give you for keep if she leaves college to go out to work (and if she decides to do this, make sure she works full time!). This will be a great incentive for her and essential for you.

ameratsu

You would lose child tax credits and child benefit.
My dd wanted to go back just part time to retake one A level but as it has turned out, she is now back full time as the college have basically forced her into it - on the up side we will now get ctc and cb again.

scat

You will lose everything if she leaves full-time education. I have a friend in the same boat and she's really struggling to make ends meet. Her 16 year old son is earning less than minimum wage!

Oldernotwiser

scat wrote: »

You will lose everything if she leaves full-time education. I have a friend in the same boat and she's really struggling to make ends meet. Her 16 year old son is earning less than minimum wage!

It's presumably her choice to let him live rent free and to keep all his earnings as pocket money. I wouldn't do it and don't have much sympathy for anyone who does.

mummytofour

I am horrid and would ask my teen who was working to pay me what I lost in CTC and CB. See how long until they were back in college!

Also tho families on IS, your teen should get EMA at £30 a week, seem like a good deal to me, get paid for getting an education!

Conor_3

mummytofour wrote: »

I am horrid and would ask my teen who was working to pay me what I lost in CTC and CB. See how long until they were back in college!

As soon as I was 16, my parents informed me I was to pay them £30 a week board. I stupidly moved out and soon realised what a bargain that was.

frames1_uk

I started on YTS at 16 and got £27.30 a week, of that I had to give my mother £10. I felt aggrieved at the time, but she was right to do it and consequently, I have never asked anyone for anything since, have always managed on my own. When my kids go to work, if they live with me, they will have to contribute, simple.

Spendless

mummytofour wrote: »

I am horrid and would ask my teen who was working to pay me what I lost in CTC and CB. See how long until they were back in college!

I wouldn't. If my teen wanted to start at the bottom sweeping hair/flipping burgers and work their way up, I'd say good luck to them and I'd ask for an amount of their wages that was reasonable and that they could afford. No way would I say you have to make up my money or go back to college.