Full time mature student on City & Guilds course - entitled to any help?

vickyclem

Hi, Apologies if any of this is wrong, it's my first time posting. Just wondered if anyone has got any ideas to help us. My partner is currently full time on a City & Guilds course. Because this isn't classed as higher education (ie degree) he is only entitled to Adult Learning Grant (ALG) of £30 per week. I work full time and earn approx £16,500k. My partner has applied for all kinds of help but is always told that because I earn 'too much' he is not entitled to anything. He is working 4 or 5 nights a week in a pub which brings in about £150 a week but we are barely scraping by, so I wondered if anyone has any ideas about any other help we might be entitled to? My partner has a son who we have every other weekend and twice in the week, he pays maintenance to his ex for him, but as far as I can see we are not entitled to any help because his son doesn't live with us full time.
Any help would be appreciated

Oldernotwiser

Are you claiming your 25% single person's reduction on your council tax? What about Working Tax Credit? Apart from these I can't think of anything you'd be eligible for, unfortunately.

karenx

Income is too high for working tax credits. You currently get £24300 between both of you in wages plus £1560 in ALG.
And yes thats right you cant claim anything else to do with children as you dont have guardianship over him

Oldernotwiser

karenx wrote: »

Income is too high for working tax credits. You currently get £24300 between both of you in wages plus £1560 in ALG.
And yes thats right you cant claim anything else to do with children as you dont have guardianship over him

You may well be right about WTC (not my area) but you don't get ALG for 52 weeks a year.

bestpud

Is your OH paying the right amount of child maintenance?

There is a calculator on the CSA website which will say what they'd expect him to pay...

Does he have him overnight on the two days during the week?

Other than that, have a look around the boards for ways to cut your outgoings - there is a wealth of information on here and you should be able to manage on your joint income.