benefit help?

fairfo

can anyone help plz? I am a 43yr old widowed mother, my youngest son being 17 is hopefully going off to uni in Sept and I am already worried about finances. I have been recieving widowed mothers allowance (but will not get this come sept as I am seen as too young to continue receiving it-45yr is the limit to continue to have a small pension paid to me), child tax credit and child benefit. come sept I will be down by about £700 a month in income. I work 26hrs a week and have a 19yr old son still livi:(ng at home, I pay full council tax, I am entitled to anything at all, can anyone help?

aloise

My daughter is in the same position as you. Her son goes to uni, she has a part time job and another son living at home.She is divorced. He gets a full grant for housing and tuition. She doesn't have to pay for anything at all.

jacqui99

What about getting a full time job.

calleyw

jacqui99 wrote: »

What about getting a full time job.

That was rather blunt but sadly true. But if you are a fit healthy adult and your children are both fit and healthy there is no reason for you not work to full time. With one job or by having two part time jobs.

This is isn't aimed at the OP but too many people just don't think about or plan for the time where they are no longer entitled to Child Tax credits. And still expect benefits. I mean my husbands IB and DLA which we are truly grateful for, could be taken away at any time and we would be well and truly shafted. But I would have to get off my backside and get part time job to fit along side my full time job as well as caring for my disabled husband. Just to keep our heads above water. I won't be happy but such is life.

All the best.

Yours

Calley

mmgmum

hi as my understanding goes as your over 25 and working part time you may still be entitled to working tax credits(not the child part) and if your 19 year old doesnt work you may get council tax benefit at 25% discount if he does work you wont get this but you could always ask him to pay this part of the council tax as really he is responsible for this as if he didnt work or live with you, you would get the 25% discount
if any one knows any different please correct me if im wrong??
hope this helps
also try putting your details as they would be if your son goes to uni and without the widows benefit into entitled to and this should give you some sort of figure to what you would get

Jowo_2

Go to the Entitled to website and input your details - this has a relatively good reputation for being accurate about entitlements if people put in their information accurately.

What is the situation with the eldest son -working,studying or in employment?

calleyw

mmgmum wrote: »

hi as my understanding goes as your over 25 and working part time you may still be entitled to working tax credits

To get working tax credits with no qualifying children you need to work 30 + hours a week.

So the OP only works 26 hours a week.

Yours

Calley