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

MadcowCaz

I have to say that I must be the worst mum on earth according to some of these posts.
My son is ASD, 18 and not happy at college anymore. I'm 52, a single parent and I work 16hrs and get the usual benefits. Up til about 5 years ago when my son was diagnosed I always worked full time. It looks like he will leave college so I'm going to lose benefits and as he's 18 I'll also lose the single occupancy council tax benefit. I am looking into options today but I have told him previously that if or when (more likely to be IF) he gets a job he will be paying half of everything..
When I was young things didnt cost anywhere near what they do now (as a percentage of you earnings) so I dont want him thinking if he lived on his own its going to cost him say £40 a week for everything when clearly its going to be a lot more! I am trying to make my son realise what it costs to live 'in the real world' as I wont always be here for him. As it is I'll have to get another part time job to get as much as possible coming in but at my age I should be thinking of retiring not working even more..

Prinzessilein

OP - your daugjter has no GcSEs and is thinking of leaving college to get a part-time job and do 3 GCSEs in the evening?

First, sit down with her and tell her you will support her in whatever decision she makes.

Next, explain that if she leaves college you will lose the benefits you currently claim for her - tax credits and child benefit. If she chooses to leave college you still need to feed her, do laundry, pay bills, pay rent et.c Tell her she needs to earn enough in her part time job to pay you the same amount as you are losing.

Look in the local paper with her. How many jobs are available for a young girl with no qualifications. What pay do these offer? Now look at accomnodation - remind her that she can't expect her own flat on Housing Benefit at her age.

She lives with you under your terms or she moves out. Again, you will love her and support her whichever option she chooses.

What is her 'dream' job? Has she looked at what qualifications are needed? And experience? She currently has nothing to offer an employer. If she wants to leave college make sure she first talks to her Mentor/Student Support Officer at college, and the careers officer. Then she needs to see the Connexions people.

Sitting at home all day is not an option. She is at college, or she works.

Living at home free-of-charge if not at college is not an option. She pays you for living with you, or she leaves home and supports herself.

If she is old enough and mature enough to make the decision to leave college, then she is o;d enough and mature enough to accept the consequences.

bestpud

MadcowCaz wrote: »

I have to say that I must be the worst mum on earth according to some of these posts.
My son is ASD, 18 and not happy at college anymore. I'm 52, a single parent and I work 16hrs and get the usual benefits. Up til about 5 years ago when my son was diagnosed I always worked full time. It looks like he will leave college so I'm going to lose benefits and as he's 18 I'll also lose the single occupancy council tax benefit. I am looking into options today but I have told him previously that if or when (more likely to be IF) he gets a job he will be paying half of everything..
When I was young things didnt cost anywhere near what they do now (as a percentage of you earnings) so I dont want him thinking if he lived on his own its going to cost him say £40 a week for everything when clearly its going to be a lot more! I am trying to make my son realise what it costs to live 'in the real world' as I wont always be here for him. As it is I'll have to get another part time job to get as much as possible coming in but at my age I should be thinking of retiring not working even more..

This thread is years old.

But anyway, I'm 'worse' than you because I'd take all but a fiver of his JSA towards household expenses.

I'm not sure there is any incentive in allowing him to keep over £40 a week JSA and then tell him he will have to give up half his pay if he gets a job.