Carers and child tax credit whilst studying

wilf55

Wondering if my son can claim carers allowance for his dad who is on the appropriate level of dla. Whilst studying 17 hours a week at college on a BTEC course My son is 17 and currently I claim tax credits and child benefit for him.

If he claimed the carers. Would my child benefit and tax credits be affected

He cares for his dad do around 60 hours a week and does not earn


Thanks guys

nannytone_2

as it is a full time course, then no he cant claim carers.

wilf55

I read somewhere that it was classed as full time when it was 21 hours of in classroom study. I can't find where I read it however. Thanks

nannytone_2

if it isnt classed as full time, then you arent entitled to child benefit and ctc for him.
you cant have it all ways.

carers allowance is a 'work replacement' benefit. available for those who can only work minimally because they have caring responsibility.
he cant get a work replacement benefit whilst being claimed for as a sependant

mummyroysof3

I think you will have to check with both tax credits and carers if course is part or full time tbh

princessdon

If you tell me the course I can look up if full or part time, or you can check LARA to see if registered via google.

Problem is this

Full time means no carers

Part time affects child related benefits as child isn't in full time education, so if you think it's part time, you need to check with TC people as you may have been overpaid.

Also FT at 16hrs classroom is normal as its 21 GLH, which includes an element of self study and independent study. The classroom hours do not need to be 21. Usually it's 2/1 for most courses.

maginot

If it is 17hrs of actual lesson time, then it will almost definitely be full time. College students will be given some free time for personal study e.g. Writing assignments for BTEC or background reading/essays for A-levels etc, so this will be a full week.

wilf55

Thanks everyone. It's a BTEC level 3 uniformed services and its classed by the college as full time even tho he does max 17 hours per week hence the child tax credits and child benefit. 17 hours just didn't seem full time to me!!

Blackpool_Saver

Strange how they work it out, full time so few hours and then soon as they turn 20 they are non dependents and that affects other things, been through all this myself

Caz3121

wilf55 wrote: »

17 hours just didn't seem full time to me!!

there will be work required outside the classroom time. Agreed though, very rarely is full time at college what you would consider full time. I looked a part time course as was working full time but when I saw the timetable for fulltime enrolled for that and still managed to work full time (worked shifts) and completed in half the time than the part time equivalent

wilf55

Thanks everyone. I rang tax credits and child benefit when he enrolled last year and they accepted the course as full time for there purposes. But he is increasingly caring for his dad and although I didn't think you could claim tax credits child benefit and him study and get carers I thought it was worth asking as caring for his dad does stop him working part time to support himself with things such as bus fares mobile phone and socialising. I will check with carers this week to be sure and let you all know