Son dropping out of college-am I still entitled to tax credits

Dunroamin

dktreesea wrote: »

I thought what would happen is the housing benefit would increase if the household income goes down. But instead, the non dependant, under 18, can't get jsa but the applicable amount for the household goes down. Apparently, children who are NEET fall outside the scope of the benefits system.

Which is surely a good thing as one doesn't want to reward undesirable behaviour.

nannytone_2

dktreesea wrote: »

Fair enough, but until you are in the position of having a NEET child at home, how do you know what you would be prepared to do? You can't force someone else to give your child a job.

we are all in that position at some time.

when my eldest finished A levels he became a 'NEET' just by the fact he was no longer in 6th form
he had worked part time during A levels but the day after he finished 6th form he was out looking for work!
why?
because he knew that sitting at home on his bum wasnt an option!
he found work, but if he hadnt he would have had to do SOMETHING other than [lauomg games all day

dktreesea

OP, your son is 17, and therefore guaranteed a training position, so he doesn't have to be a NEET. Get him registered on a course with Connexions or the regional careers group (not sure what this is called in England) and tell the HMRC you need a 20 week run on of your CTC. Your local council should know all about his entitlements in this regard. Also call the Child benefits section and tell them the same. Though, in their case, it may only go for three months, so to the end of May if he finishes with college today. Not quite sure how this works though, since he is 17, rather than 18.

dktreesea

nannytone wrote: »

we are all in that position at some time.

when my eldest finished A levels he became a 'NEET' just by the fact he was no longer in 6th form
he had worked part time during A levels but the day after he finished 6th form he was out looking for work!
why?
because he knew that sitting at home on his bum wasnt an option!
he found work, but if he hadnt he would have had to do SOMETHING other than [lauomg games all day

If he gets jsa fair enough. But there are plenty who leave their last year of college before they are 18. If you are entitled to CTC for him, why, in that situation, wouldn't you get him onto a training course with the local careers centre or whoever would provide him with the kind of training he wants, and apply for the 20 week run on for the CTC?

dktreesea

Dunroamin wrote: »

Which is surely a good thing as one doesn't want to reward undesirable behaviour.

Fair enough, but at the same time, for low income families, it's important to be familiar with what your children are entitled to. 20 weeks of CTC for someone on the maximum rate, plus the same for BC. How many low income families do you think could go without over £2k?

I hope you realise that most households in this situation, with children leaving school with a gap to college, or changing courses at college but not yet 18, are likely to be working families?

MissMoneypenny

Why are you pulling all these old threads up, dktreesea?

Dunroamin

dktreesea wrote: »

Fair enough, but at the same time, for low income families, it's impportant to be familiar with what your children are entitled to. 20 weeks of CTC for someone on the maximum rate, plus the same for BC. How many low income families do you think could go without over £2k?

I hope you realise that most households in this situation, with children leaving school with a gap to college, or changing courses at college but not yet 18, are likely to be working families?

I'm sure it must be difficult financially which is why low income families need to be firm with their teenagers and make sure they understand the financial facts of life.

notsobad

Dunroamin wrote: »

Which is surely a good thing as one doesn't want to reward undesirable behaviour.

What are you calling undesirable behaviour ?

You make it sound like these young people are all anti social yobs.

Own_My_Own

notsobad wrote: »

What are you calling undesirable behaviour ?

You make it sound like these young people are all anti social yobs.

She won't answer that. She likes to post negative things and run.

Dunroamin

notsobad wrote: »

What are you calling undesirable behaviour ?

You make it sound like these young people are all anti social yobs.

I was referring to young people who are NEETS - all shades of governments put a lot of money into reducing their numbers.