Apprenticeship and Housing Benefit deduction

bestpud

I wonder if anyone can help me out with this as I'm having a battle with my local council. It will be a bit long, sorry.

My 18 year old is doing an apprecticeship with our local council and is working towards and NVQ level 2 in business admin.

I was originally told I would have a deduction made from my housing benefit for her as she is classed as earning, so I called to query this, as I think her wage counts as a training allowance.

They asked for proof it is an apprenticeship so I sent letters stating her role and that it is an apprenticeship.

They eventually got back and said they need proof she is working towards a qualification that is related to her role.

Sooo, I sent a letter from the training provider which clearly states it is an NVQ for her business admin apprenticeship (the letter clearly has the council logo etc on it and the name and dept she works in).

That was in August and I've heard nothing so I called today and have been told they've actioned the evidence but the deduction has remained 'as she is working towards an NVQ2'?? :cool:

I don't understand how that is not related to her role so have called back for clarification.

The assessor is going to ask someone else for advice and get back to me but in the meantime, does anyone have any experience of this, please?

Or can anyone in the know explain to me why they may think an NVQ2 in business admin is not related to her business admin apprenticeship?

If they are correct then fair enough, but I can't understand how they can be... :cool: I do still receive the 25% single adult deduction for council tax btw.

Thanks in advance

bestpud

Update:

They've just called back and I should not have been given a deduction on my council tax benefit but it is correct that they take the lowest deduction from my housing benefit as she is classed as earning a low wage.

Seems odd they have different rules for one than the other but I have at least got £100 odd deducted from my council tax bill, which is good news.

If anyone can tell me different about housing benefit, I'd be very interested (obviously) to hear from you, please.

ostaragirl

Hi
The only thing I know is that some 'apprentices' have employed status and some don't (skillseekers I think). Sounds like she is employed by the council?? Skillseekers payments are classed as a training allowance.