Help. Can we afford school?

Chance01

I am receiving Housing and Council Tax Benefit. I'm getting £300 a month salary + Job Seekers (from 2011). I owe over £2,000 mostly to my employer because they overpaid me. The rest is split between a loan I'm trying to pay back to the DWP and child tax credit mispayment to the inland revenue. They want this back because my son left school and I think they charge by the month. Is this correct?

I am living with my son who is currently not working or studying. He was ill but I never asked for disability benefit. Now, the council have removed my single persons discount and they want to charge me council tax and housing benefit backdated 2 years because of my son.

My son wants to get back into education but I'm not sure we can afford to wait till September because the bill the council wants is growing everyday. Are there any courses he can start now?

EltonJohnFan

I would ask to have a one to one meeting with someone from the council and fully explain your situation.
It sounds to me like you're a genuine person who's desperately in need of help and I sincerely hope you get it.

All the best

narabanekeater

have you tried freecycle for a cooker? People give away all sorts. I sincerely hope you find the answer to your situation

MrsManda

Chance01 wrote: »

I am living with my son who is currently not work or studying. He was ill but I never asked for disability benefit. The council have removed my single persons discount and they want to charge me council tax and housing benefit backdated 2 years because of my son. I am looking to get a job but am finding it an impossible task. My son wants to either get back into education but I'm not sure we can afford to wait. Should he get a job? What option would be the best for us? Please help.

How old is your son?

If your son is too ill to work he should be claiming Employment Support Allowance.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/esa/index.htm

What level of education does he want to do? Is he well enough to do it? What level of education has he already completed?

Indie_Kid

Have you looked into cheaper tariffs for telephone, water and electric?

Penny-Pincher!!

How come you owe £2,000 to the DWP, Inland Revenue and employer etc?

*Chattie*

Penny-Pincher!! wrote: »

How come you owe £2,000 to the DWP, Inland Revenue and employer etc?

how come makes no difference to the op's questions?

Chance01

Penny-Pincher!! wrote: »

How come you owe £2,000 to the DWP, Inland Revenue and employer etc?

Mostly because my employer overpaid me by £1300. The rest is split between a loan I'm trying to pay back and child tax credit mispayment.

Chance01

MrsManda wrote: »

How old is your son?

If your son is too ill to work he should be claiming Employment Support Allowance.

What level of education does he want to do? Is he well enough to do it? What level of education has he already completed?

My son is ok now. He's only completed his GCSEs and he left college previously due to illness. He's 18

kelloggs36

He should be able to claim JSA at the lower rate now he is 18 - if he is still sick he could claim ESA. Then if he gets benefits, your council tax benefit should be restored. Whilst he was at school he was still a dependent and so you should have still qualified for child benefit and therefore all other child related benefits.

viktory

*Chattie* wrote: »

how come makes no difference to the op's questions?

Makes quite a lot of difference, long term.

OP, your son is an adult and needs to get a job and start pulling his weight.