My teenage son wants to get a job,will i affect my tax credits and housing benefit?

jjuicyllucy

My teenage son (18 next week) who is still in full time education has been offered a job paying minimum wage. The job would be for 4 hours a night, 5 days a week @ the current rate of £4.92 an hour.

I still recieve working tax credits, family tax credits, housing benefit & reduction on my council tax (due to my low income) .

I am all for my son getting a job (hooray) but am worried that my loss is going to be bigger than his gain. Anyone had any experience on this matter and can shed any light?


Kind regards Lucy.
:A

HappyMJ

I would imagine whatever you lose you are then going to ask him for in rent/board. You won't lose much though.

jjuicyllucy

Thats what I suggested to him but don't want to be taking too much off him that is not worth his while.

HappyMJ

jjuicyllucy wrote: »

Thats what I suggested to him but don't want to be taking too much off him that is not worth his while.

It's only £9.40 per week....That isn't much. and... £2.85 towards the council tax.

AnxiousMum

You say he's still in full time education - is he by chance doing his A Levels? I'd be more concerned about the number of hours, and the fact that he's got exams coming up.....

I know that if it was only 8 hours, you would lose nothing, as these are his part time earnings while still in full time education. But, when he leaves school and becomes an 'independent' living in your home, you will lose cb, ctc - and possibly a small amount from your housing benefit - but then that will happen whether he's working or not!

I don't know if there is a set number of hours as a threshhold that a full time student can work - but......starting a job doing 20 hours a week right before exams doesn't seem like a sound course of action!

Sarah69

When I was in that situation nd my sons full time education finished I lost loads of money, my son is on jsa now nd gives me £20pw but that nowhere nears covers wat I lost!

AnxiousMum

Sarah69 wrote: »

When I was in that situation nd my sons full time education finished I lost loads of money, my son is on jsa now nd gives me £20pw but that nowhere nears covers wat I lost!

But do you find that he costs you anywhere near the amount that you were receiving?

Chances are if the OP's son is about to finish his education in a couple of months, she's going to be losing all that comes with a child in full time education anyway - but then, we all have 18 yrs or so to plan for, and take this fact into account.

nad1611

I presume you are still getting Child Benefit too as he's still in full time education.
I don't think it would be so much your sons income at this present time, that would effect anything,but you are suggesting that you'll be taking something off him for Board etc. I didn't expect my kids to pay their way when I was still getting Child Benefit and additional credits for children in my WFTC as was.

I think if he's giving you money then that would possibly have to be declared as additional income, but as said I'm surprised you'll be expecting money from him when you're already getting money for him from your benefits etc. I'd have to agree 4 hrs every night seems like it could interfere with studies if it was over a couple of days that might be different,still that wasn't your question was it?

no-oneknowsme

OP as long as your Son remains in full time education he can work up to 24 hours per week before it will affect your tax credits and child benefit.

These earnings from his part time job are not classed as income for tax credits purposes.

I have no knowledge of housing benefit so cannot advise as to whether or not his earnings would affect this....

If your Son works more than 24 hours per week then you need to inform tco but if he works less than 24 then you do not need to inform them.

jjuicyllucy

My son is at college on a computer design course, so there is not a lot of studying to be done as it is ongoing course work. He is in his first year of a 2 year course. I agree that the hours offered are excessive but he really wants this job. He has not agreed to anything yet and I will suggest that he ask the employee for less hours. I thank you all for your responses whether negative and positive. You have all been very helpful :-)

nad1611

I still ponder the idea of taking any money off him,your circumstances haven't changed as yet, you're still receiving money for him. So taking money from him seems a bit well.... mean:o Surely as he'll be earning his own money he'll rely less and less on you for extra things so taking something from him as well, seems a bit unecessary.