Son is classed as a non dependent

Anubis_2

As far as benefit payments go, once child benefit stops for a child, that child is no longer classed as a dependent, and this can be from the age of 16 depending if further study is undertaken. So, from the date your child benefit stopped will be the date they recognise him as a non-dependent and that is also the date the overpayment will be from.

It is irrelevant if he has been depending on you since the child benefit stopped, and if he has, they will see that you were obviously in a position where you could afford support him, and therefore could also afford to pay the council tax.

If he had claimed JSA then he would have contributed to the household out of his weekly payment - say perhaps give you £20 per week, which would have covered any council tax you would have had to pay.

inspirespirit

you have to stress to them that your son thought he was doing the right thing. I had something similar. My son was helping me care for my other son during a period where disabled son was extremely ill and I could not longer lift him. He was not looking for work so did not sign on. We really struggled financially. When he was able to look for work and did sign on, I found my benefits increased. I asked why, (cos I'm scared of overpayment that I will have to pay back), and apparently I had been stopped quite a bit of money because he was classed as non dependant and when he signed on, I was no longer stopped that money. All seems a bit backwards to me cos I got more money and my son got JSA so was able to help out financially.
It has helped beyond belief.

Macro_3

Has the council tax bill been generated as a result of an overpayment of council tax benefit, or because your single persons discount has been removed?