16 at Connexions ? Benefit query

carolannie

Hi,

I work and was getting working tax credit and child benefit for my son. This will be stopping on the 31st of August, as he is not starting college yet (he has an appointment this week with a support worker, who is helping him with courses - he was under CAMHS)
He has signed on at Connexions.

I was under the impression I would get an extension of benefits while he finds a course and hopefully get accepted on it.

I read this on here today by another poster....

"If the child is out of education but registered with Connexions then child benefit and therefore CSA is still payable"

And the child benefit pages say he should still get money, I have to claim for this.

I have rung the child tax credit twice and got different answers. The first time, no, he has to have signed up for a qualifying course and then I will get CB and tax credits again. The second time was told, "ring us on the 1st September and he can be added back on because he is signed on with connexions" - I'm not sure what is right?
He signed up with Connexions in early July

I don't get a penny from his father, I haven't had anything from him in years.

Can anyone please confirm what happens to 16 year olds, left school but not yet on a college course? Thank you

I will be ring around today as well, but would love to hear what other people have been told

HOWMUCH

I thought young people had to be in full time education upto the age of 18

MsShorty

At present children must be in education, apprenticeship or training until the end of the school year in which they turn 17.

From September 2015, this changes to 18.

carolannie

I've now got an extension of child benefit and child tax credits, up until the end of November. We did go a week without any money, which has been difficult. Hopefully, my son will be on a course soon, at college or an apprenticeship.

carolannie

I also thought kids had to be in some kind of education, but since he left school in June, the help out there is sparse - and I am not sure how this can be enforced either, as my son isn't being followed up to see what he is doing?

stroptart

Unless the guidance has changed, you should get an extension of 20 weeks for child tax credit. You can only claim it once and if the young person turns 18 in that 20 week period it stops on their birthday. (I know that last won't apply to you.)
You need the date he registered with connexions, and they need to follow their process for ending education. Hope that helps x

stroptart

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/keep-up-to-date/changes-affect/family-change/child-16.htm#4

Fourth link down where it says Under 18s who leave education.