What help is there for Teen parents?

xmumof4:->x

Hi All

My son and his girlfriend are both 16 and have unfortunately found themselves pregnant.

They both want to go through college, although she has had to put that on hold for 12 months, and at the moment they don't feel ready to live together.

Firstly what help could she get if she was to live with her mum and dad, who both work, in order to go to college.

Secondly if they decided to both live with me (which could be a possibility) what help could they and I get.

I am a single parent of 4 children (1 now lives with her father so only 3 at home), the 16 year old is the oldest. I claim tax credits etc.

What I would really like for them is to continue at college with her starting next september. There is a very good nursery near my work and my hours would allow me to help alot but i'm not too sure how the tax credits and childcare help etc would work.

thankyou in advance for any advice

nottslass_2

Sorry can't offer you any practical advise,but it sounds as if they have supportive family around them and I sincerely wish you and them all the best.

alwaysonthego_2

You have two choices;

1) If he lives with you he will be treated as a couple for benefit purposes. JSA is not usually paid to 16/17 year olds, only in special cases. I am not sure what the special circumstances are, I am sure someone who has more knowledge in area can help, but they will have to either claim IBJSA/IS[depending on which one they are eligible for]. They can claim CTC and CB.

2) She could live on her own and claim as a single parent which will be IS, CTC and CB.

If college would help him become more employable, surely this is a good option with him getting a part time job.

Once your daughter has her baby you won't get benefits for her.

Edit- if the girl does not live with you, you should be able to still get benefits for son if he is still in full time education

Penny-Pincher!!

xmumof4:->x wrote: »

Hi All

My son and his girlfriend are both 16 and have unfortunately found themselves pregnant.

They both want to go through college, although she has had to put that on hold for 12 months, and at the moment they don't feel ready to live together.

Firstly what help could she get if she was to live with her mum and dad, who both work, in order to go to college.

Secondly if they decided to both live with me (which could be a possibility) what help could they and I get.

I am a single parent of 4 children (1 now lives with her father so only 3 at home), the 16 year old is the oldest. I claim tax credits etc.

What I would really like for them is to continue at college with her starting next september. There is a very good nursery near my work and my hours would allow me to help alot but i'm not too sure how the tax credits and childcare help etc would work.

thankyou in advance for any advice

It sounds like they have supportive family around them.

Personally, I would encourage the father to get a job and do part-time college courses and possibly the same for the mum. They could leave the baby with family so childcare would be free.

You really dont want them dependant on benefits from such a young age.

PP

escortg3

My daughter was in the same situation.:eek:The Benefits people wanted to pay me £40.00 per week and then she was to get nothing and i was to support her.

I stated that i couldnt/wouldnt do this. So in the end she claimed under her own right and got income support and child tax credits. Now my grandaughter is nearly 4 and i wouldnt change the situation we were in. At the time i was devastated and angry:mad:

My daughter went to work when little one was two so no longer claims income support. :T

bigjl

MaggieD wrote: »

I'm afraid I don't have any advice, but I would like to warn you of the impending abuse you will unfortunately, but most likely, receive.

I think this posters situation is much different to yours.


Child benefit is a definate, though not sure if they would grant HB as they are living with family, I would expect that if yours sons girlfriend was to do some part time work she would get some assistance.

Though as stated i think she would get income support.

Maybe child tax credits, working tax credits and help with child care, if she choses to do a bit of work.

The delay in going to college could be a blessing in disguise as she will have a year to mature, possible earn a bit of money and above all get some experience in the workplace, making her a better employment prospect after college.

I think you are right in hoping to keep them living with either you or her parents, as living in a council flat on their own would be a huge step, and probably a step to far at this stage.

She could even look into doing a few units with the OU, to prepare for her college course next year.

Oldernotwiser

bigjl wrote: »

She could even look into doing a few units with the OU, to prepare for her college course next year.

The OU is degree level study - how do you think a 16 year old would be ready for this and why would a higher level course prepare her for a lower level one?

For the girl in this situation, whether she goes straight to college or takes a year out, she should look at the Care to Learn scheme which will pay her childcare costs.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/Caretolearn/index.htm

karenx

If you are going to be looking after the baby then they will get no help with childcare costs, at least one of them needs to be working 16hours plus per week in order to qualify for help for putting baby in nursery.
They wont get any help towards rent either unless they had their own house

DX2

karenx wrote: »

If you are going to be looking after the baby then they will get no help with childcare costs, at least one of them needs to be working 16hours plus per week in order to qualify for help for putting baby in nursery.
They wont get any help towards rent either unless they had their own house

You're part of a couple


Generally you and your partner must both work 16 hours or more a week to claim help. Only one of you has to work 16 hours or more if one of you is:

• ill or disabled and claiming disability benefits
• in hospital
• in prison - serving a custodial sentence or remanded in custody awaiting trial or sentence

nottslass_2

karenx wrote: »

If you are going to be looking after the baby then they will get no help with childcare costs, at least one of them needs to be working 16hours plus per week in order to qualify for help for putting baby in nursery.
They wont get any help towards rent either unless they had their own house

They can get help with childcare costs whilst they are studying - ONW has posted a link.

Perhaps connexions can help ?

alwaysonthego_2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

or takes a year out, she should look at the Care to Learn scheme which will pay her childcare costs.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/Caretolearn/index.htm

Thanks for the link, have learnt something new.