does anybody have an answer?

gloryer

I work 24 hours a week and currently have a child aged 19 at college but will finish college in July. Currently receiving working tax credit and cjil;d tax credit. How do I stand when he finishes college? Am I entitled to claim any money with no child and working less than 30 hours a week? I will be 50 this year so I understand there is something called a 50+ element.
Amybody know the answer please?

sarflee

As far as I am aware, the 50+ element is awarded for a short period, if you take up work after being unemployed.

Also, due to working less than 30 hrs you will not be eligible for tax credits. Depending on your income, you may be entitled to council tax benefit/housing benefit (if rented). I'm not sure if any other benefits could be claimed.

Oldernotwiser

Don't forget that you will also lose your 25% council tax discount when your son is no longer a student; on the other hand, you will have his contributions into the household to counterbalance this.

sarflee

Depending on your child's income you can claim 2nd adult rebate which can be the equivalent of the 25% discount. I don't know the full details but they will be on your local authority website.

gloryer

at the moment I dont get any discount whatsoever on council tax even though my son is a student. Possibly because he gets his £30 EMA.

The way things are shaping up though it seems I would be better of unemployed.

welshmoneylover

I don't think you would be better off unemployed - what is that going to teach your son?

You can up your hours to earn more money, plus when your son gets a job his wage will up the household income as well.

Being unemployed is a slippery slope backwards not only for yourself but for your son.

Please don't do it!

Oldernotwiser

gloryer wrote: »

at the moment I dont get any discount whatsoever on council tax even though my son is a student. Possibly because he gets his £30 EMA.

The way things are shaping up though it seems I would be better of unemployed.

If your son is a full time student and the two of you are the only over 18s in the household then you should be getting the single adult's discount. EMA doesn't come into it.

gloryer

I am married so there are 3 adults over 18 living here.
I cant up my hours as my shifts are varied so I couldnt take another job with this one.

seven-day-weekend

Does your spouse work?

gloryer

its only me that works. I have just phoned the council to ask them about the student discount and its only for single people so I dont qualify for that.

Oldernotwiser

gloryer wrote: »

its only me that works. I have just phoned the council to ask them about the student discount and its only for single people so I dont qualify for that.

Your early posts led people to assume that you were a lone parent, which is why this was suggested.