Tax Credits and Open University

lilmisscomper

Hi,

my daughter finished her A levels in 2011. She stayed registered with her school to undertake a number of resits this year though just as an exam center. She was going to go to conventional university though decided to do a degree with the open university instead. I had been told that I would be entitled to carry on claiming tax credits for her until she is 20 as long as she is in further education. I have now received a letter stating they are reviewing my claim and want proof of my daughter studying. This in itself is not a problem as I can send registration documents for several courses she has/or is in the process of completing with the OU though a friend has told me that studying with the OU does not count as further education. I am really worried sick now that I have been claiming for something I wasn't entitled to (unbeknown to me). Does somebody know about this please?

Thank you

smileytiger

I think OU counts the same as ordinary university so is classed as higher and not further education. I'm sure someone with more knowledge of tax credits will reply soon.

lilmisscomper

I hope so, I feel sick with worry now. Typical that these letters arrive when its weekend. No idea what I am going to do if it turns out I was not entitled to claim this component

Dunroamin

You seem to have misunderstood the previous poster, I'm afraid.

The OU is higher education not further education, just like any other university and so you aren't eligible for CTC or CB. You need to explain what has happened and arrange a repayment plan for the overpaid amounts..

lilmisscomper

Oh no, I was not expecting that. I really thought I was entitled to it. I have my doubts that it will be just a question of arranging repayments either. What if they don't believe me that it was a genuine error? Thanks for your reply.

Dunroamin

Your best bet is to be as honest as possible as it's obviously your mistake. I can see you must have been confused as you thought that smileytiger was saying the opposite of what s/he actually said.

I doubt very much that they'll prosecute in these circumstances as there's obviously been a blurring of the line of when your daughter moved from being an FE student (A level resits) and an HE student (OU). You can normally make repayments over a period of time or they may take them direct from your other benefits.

lilmisscomper

Thanks for your quick reply. I will give them a ring first thing Monday morning. So does conventional university also count as higher education rather than further? As my friend was also told she could claim until her son is 20. He will start university in September so it is not too late for her to let them know. I don't even know how I am going to repay them as money is tight as it is. I also don't understand why my daughter has not automatically been taken off in September. That is what they did when she turned 16 and I had to send in proof she was staying on for her A-levels. All very confusing to be honest. Thanks again.

enabledebra

OP - don't panic yet. It seems possible that you are currently entitled to child benefit etc but as others have said this will stop as higher education doesn't count.


Child goes back to school or college to take exams

You can normally still get Child Benefit after your child leaves school or college if they were entered for exams before they left. The exams must be for the course they were doing before they left - and the course must have counted for Child Benefit.

Once your child has finished their last exam, your Child Benefit will normally carry on from the date of the last exam until the week that includes the earliest of:

• last day of February
• 31 May
• 31 August
• 30 November

Your Child Benefit will stop straightaway if any of the following happen after your child has left school or college:

• your child starts paid work for 24 hours a week or more
• your child gets certain benefits, such as Income Support or Employment and Support Allowance, or tax credits in their own right
• your child reaches the age of 20

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

Dunroamin

lilmisscomper wrote: »

Thanks for your quick reply. I will give them a ring first thing Monday morning. So does conventional university also count as higher education rather than further? As my friend was also told she could claim until her son is 20. He will start university in September so it is not too late for her to let them know. I don't even know how I am going to repay them as money is tight as it is. I also don't understand why my daughter has not automatically been taken off in September. That is what they did when she turned 16 and I had to send in proof she was staying on for her A-levels. All very confusing to be honest. Thanks again.

Further education is up to level 3 (A levels/Highers/BTEC National). Higher education is level 4 and above (degree/foundation degree/HNC/HND). In addition, the student has to be in FE full time for someone to claim CB/CTC for them.

If your friend's son is under 20 and has spent the last academic year in full time FE, then she can claim CB/CTC for him until the end of August.

lilmisscomper

Just to clarify I understood this right:

She has stayed registered with her school as an exam centre. She has had her final re-sit last week (she resat two in May and two in June). She was not required to attend school for the whole year but if I read it right due to the resits I am entitled to claim until the end of August?

Thanks for your reply!

Dunroamin

lilmisscomper wrote: »

Just to clarify I understood this right:

She has stayed registered with her school as an exam centre. She has had her final re-sit last week (she resat two in May and two in June). She was not required to attend school for the whole year but if I read it right due to the resits I am entitled to claim until the end of August?

Thanks for your reply!

I hope, for your sake, this is right - it isn't a situation I've come across before. Was she working or claiming JSA?