Eligible for Benefits between leaving school and starting Uni?

oompahloompah

HI everyone
my DS is almost 18, leaves school in the next few weeks and has an unconditional offer for Uni, which he has accepted and starts in September. He was entitled to EMA since August, and I have had word that this, his CB and CTC will finish when he leaves school (fair enough, I expected that). He is looking for a job, even part time, for over the summer before he moves away to Uni, but if he is unsuccessful in getting something, (he has been getting bits of work over the past 2 years but hasn't managed to get anything ongoing yet) would he be entitled to claim any benefits to keep him going financially til September? I know students can't claim over the summer holidays once they actually start Uni, but don't know if this applies beforehand as well.
I will of course encourage him to find more work but it would be handy to know any entitlement.
Thanks everyone!

MrsManda

I don't know about benefits for him but you'll be able to claim CB until the end of August though this will stop if he starts claiming benefits in his own right or works for more than 24hours a week.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ChildBenefitandChildTrustFund/Childbenefits/KeepingyourChildBenefituptodate/ChildBenefitafter16/DG_073812

MrsBartolozzi

As already said you will get CB until the end of August. CTC ends around the same time, but you must tell them in advance so as not to get an overpayment (they'll give you the date when you call). CB stops automatically as I remember it.

milliebear00001

If he is seeking work, then he should be entitled to claim JSA until September.

AnxiousMum

I don't think the OP can claim ctc and CB for him though if he's claiming JSA though right?

dugdale_2

As you're receiving Child Benefit your son cannot claim JSA.

Oldernotwiser

dugdale wrote: »

As you're receiving Child Benefit your son cannot claim JSA.

Other way round really. If he claims JSA she'll lose CB.

oompahloompah

Thanks everyone for your replies.
The letters from both EMA and CB say that benefit will stop from 6th June - we're in Scotland so the school term dates are different, would that make the date difference? No word yet on a date from CTC but I assumed this would stop at the same time.
I will of course continue to encourage him to find a job, and will support him financially whatever happens, but it would seem daft for him to miss out on the money if he is entitled as he genuinely is/will continue to be looking for work (don't want him misleading the benefits people by not saying he's going to Uni or anything) as he is saving hard before going away in autumn. Ideally it would be something he could transfer to his Uni town part-time (I've heard supermarkets are good for this, but so far he has had no luck) to help him out while he studies, but in this day and age beggars can't be choosers so he will take anything at the moment.
Thanks again everyone
Oompah

AnxiousMum

Depending on what type of course your son will be doing - he may find it very hard to find any kind of off campus job while at uni. I know my son has four days where his classes are over at 6pm, and he has 30 hours where he needs to be in lectures/practicals. Alot of non scientific courses though - might only be four or six hours in lectures - and the rest of the work is personal study/reading which can be done at any time.
If he really wants to work at Uni - he might be best, if he knows which uni he's going to, knows what halls he's going to - applying for something like Junior Common Room Warden - or similar positions through the Student Union - the above post at my son's uni involves UP TO 12 hours per week, assisting other students as needed, and pays up to £350 per month. These generally close BEFORE time tables are given out though - ie, the end of Fresher's week, so it's a big case of being on the lookout beforehand.

oompahloompah

Thanks Anxious Mum, that's a great tip - I will mention it to him. He doesn't know which Halls has been allocated yet but hopefully will hear sometime soon - if he gets the cheaper option it will take a lot of the stress away from him, there is quite a price difference between cheapest and second cheapest (almost double!), although we've visited both and the only difference we can see is distance from campus (cheapest is an additional 10 minute walk, though there is a shuttle bus).
He will be studying sciences, so probably a lot of time on campus in labs/lectures etc - personally I would rather he didn't work during term time at all, especially in first year while he settles in, but he is determined to get something even a few hours a week to help avoid overdrafts etc. He will get a bursary and maintenance loan and has been saving for the past 3 years (birthday and Christmas money, any earnings, EMA), and of course his dad and I will help as much as we can, but he is looking into how much things actually cost and is horrified at how much he will have to spend just to live! Makes him appreciate his home comforts a bit more, I must admit :T

AnxiousMum

Sounds alot like my son! Accommodation will pretty much eat up any of the student loan - if he's doing sciences - then alot of the 'free time' that other students have for reading/writing etc. is taken up by practicals, which of course, can only be done in the labs at specified times - this made it difficult for my son and his 'classmates' to find work. One thing that he has been able to pick up is some tutoring! Quite often the Biomed department receives requests from local high school students asking for tutoring help - this can pay very well, between £15 and £25 per hour and of course can be flexible according to each of the students timetables.
Foodwise - depending on the town he will be - once a term when I take my son back up, we go do a 'mum' shop - restock on basics etc. (such as cleaning products!) and that usually sets me back in the region of about £60 - but......in that shop I'll buy him some stuff that he wouldn't normally buy.

He's eating steak most nights - as there is a local butcher who does a great deal for uni students with meat - 6 really nice sirloin steaks for £10, hamburger mince - £5 for 3 pounds, ribs £5 for 3 pounds etc. He uses the butcher in the local market on a Saturday - cooks up the hamburger mince, and divvies it up for spaghetti, chili, lasagne, hamburgers etc. He eats eggs every morning for breakfast, buys enough fruit and vege so that he can go the week, 2 pints milk. There would be the odd package of pasta which he buys store brand, and does him 3 or 4 meals. Basically he figures (and going from his bank statements, I have to agree) that he's averaging £20 per week on food - BUT......he's eating very well, and much better than flatmates who seem to think that pot noodles are a meal - and quite often, spending less than them.
To keep his costs down, one of the best things he can start doing now is cooking a family meal once a week so he learns to appreciate proper food, and he will save money too.

When he first heads off - he'll spend more money that first week - Fresher's wrist band, Additional Insurance, Junior Common Room membership - I think it totalled about £100 when we went in to get his room keys.....an unexpected expense - but......the JCR membership was compulsory, and the Fresher's wrist band - well, he had to have it just like everybody else and had a great week!

Other 'unexpected expenses' - trying out for sports teams - £10 per shot......joining a sports team - insurance, gym membership if not included, and the registration fees/kit fees.

Books - on Biomed science - my son has purchased a couple of hefty books - most of the resources used are online or readily available in the library - but some books very much worth having - but has bought used and spent about £80.

Costs this term, are pretty much just accommodation and food - as it's mainly exams, 2nd term - none of the first term costs barring books if needed.

Also - had to buy a white lab coat, safety goggles and a dissection kit - so maybe there's a couple of things there you could find cheaper before he heads off.

Probably more info than you wanted.......but if it helps out in any way - glad to do so