Child tax credits when children leave for college?

Pippilongstocking

Hi there
I've been on MSE for an age and wondered if anyone could help me with an enquiry.

I'm in Scotland, a single mum, low income (<£6k last year) and on tax credits with two kids one about to be 16 and staying on at school and one who's 17 one exam left and techincally left school but going to college in September.

My question is simply this - when will the tax credits stop for the 17 year old - he'll be 18 in October.

He's leaving for college in September (400 miles away), where he'll be studying full time. I'd assumed they'd stop the tax credits for him once he'd left school (EG NOW!) but having chatted to a few folk - they've indicated they might continue paying until he's left home or possibly when he's at college.

ETA - studying at college but a degree.

Before I phone them and let them know he's left school - I wondered if anyone had any experience or knew the crucial when do they stop paying question?

Like many folks - I'm keen to get the facts before I talk to them as we all know the minute you change anything - everything stops being paid and they miraculously press a button somewhere and come up with an answer which often looks like its out of no where :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:(or is that just me?)

SO if anyone has any experience then please let me know!

Cheers x

Charityworker

Hello there. Just to clarify, is your son going to college or university? If he is going to college you will continue to get child benefit and child tax credit for him until he either ends college or until the day before his 20th birthday (whichever comes first), but if he is going to uni your payments will stop at the end of augustish.

Pippilongstocking

Charityworker wrote: »

Hello there. Just to clarify, is your son going to college or university? If he is going to college you will continue to get child benefit and child tax credit for him until he either ends college or until the day before his 20th birthday (whichever comes first), but if he is going to uni your payments will stop at the end of augustish.

Hi there
Thanks for replying

He's going to college but studying a degree qualification so by the looks of it - the money stops.

So potentially I guess the payments stop at the end of August?

I've done the calcs for both situations and looking like we'll drop his allowance then for the CTC and be down to one child - which is fair enough

But, earning so little my WTC isn't affected this year. It stays the same with either scenario.

But good to know for the budget that in August it will drop by that much.

Thanks very much!

Stupid question (again) do I tell them now or just leave it til August?

Charityworker

Leave it till august. They won't make any changes at WTC until the day after the change has took place anyway.

Pippilongstocking

Cheers!

Nice to have some goodly advice - much appreicated!

Dunroamin

Charityworker wrote: »

Hello there. Just to clarify, is your son going to college or university? If he is going to college you will continue to get child benefit and child tax credit for him until he either ends college or until the day before his 20th birthday (whichever comes first), but if he is going to uni your payments will stop at the end of augustish.

College or university is immaterial. Unless he's in non advanced FE (below degree level) tax credits stop.