Benefits stopped.

forgotmyname

Just had my sister on the phone, Almost in tears. A letter saying her benefits had been stopped and now a letter saying she is 4 weeks in rent arrears.Seems they stopped paying the rent 2 weeks prior to the original letter.

Her partner is on ESA (long term back condition) But not classed as disabled or getting any other benefits.

They claim income support or whatever its called now to top that up to the minimum required.

Tax credits and Child benefit for one child who went to college then back to 6th form then to college again this year.
Now this maybe the issue. They are 19 years old.
The course intially was 5 days. But now the work placement has started its only 2 days at college and 3 days at the placement.
They finish 1 hour earlier at college on one of the days, so don't do the full 16 hours.

She tried phoning her local advice centre but the advisors had gone home, Next available appointment middle of January.. She will try tomorrow in person.

Can anyone help? Any advice?

Is the work placement not counted in the hours required? What should a 19 year old student be claiming?
Because of their age they were not offered anything other than a £20pw towards travel and uniform expenses. Uniform must be worn when on the placement. And the travel card is a student one which was costly.

Thank you.

jacques_chirac

What exactly does the letter say - who is it from, and which benefits have been stopped? They should be claiming ESA (with an income based top up) or income support, not both.

forgotmyname

Sister has gone back to college 3 full days a week also. So no income other than the ESA for him, and income support. No earnings.

A friend said she should be able to get something because she does 3 days at college? Is that true?

Its a childcare course, Level 2 i think? Started off at 5 full days, But after a few weeks it went down to 2 days 9 - 3 ish and 9-4 or 5. Depending on what work is done that week and assignments.
The other 3 days are full time 9 - 5 work placement.

The only time they were not in education was the 6 week school break. But the tax credits continued. But she said when her course ends next year the tax credits will finish instantly.

Letter is from Birmingham City Council. Just says SUSPENDED BENEFIT.

princessdon

forgotmyname wrote: »

Sister has gone back to college 3 full days a week also. So no income other than the ESA for him, and income support. No earnings.

A friend said she should be able to get something because she does 3 days at college? Is that true?

Its a childcare course, Level 2 i think? Started off at 5 full days, But after a few weeks it went down to 2 days 9 - 3 ish and 9-4 or 5. Depending on what work is done that week and assignments.
The other 3 days are full time 9 - 5 work placement.

The only time they were not in education was the 6 week school break. But the tax credits continued. But she said when her course ends next year the tax credits will finish instantly.

Letter is from Birmingham City Council. Just says SUSPENDED BENEFIT.

If its childcare Level 2 it's a qualifying course for TC. The hours will increase at other times. You need 3 days a week for placement but you don't stay on placement the whole course, so at times it will be more hours in college. Her tax credits should not stop.

forgotmyname

TX - Tax Credits yes?

So for some odd reason the council think she either works or earns money?

Student loans = no. Whats a bursery? They get £20 a week to cover travel and uniform costs. Thats all.
Uniform was approx £70 had to have the college logo and name etc. And the travel card was £360 for the 3 terms? (dont have the exact figures).

Thanks

BigAunty

forgotmyname wrote: »

What should a 19 year old student be claiming?
Because of their age they were not offered anything other than a £20pw towards travel and uniform expenses. Uniform must be worn when on the placement. And the travel card is a student one which was costly...

They get £20 a week to cover travel and uniform costs. Thats all.
Uniform was approx £70 had to have the college logo and name etc. And the travel card was £360 for the 3 terms?

.

A 19 year old student in full time education living at home who does not have dependents or disabilities is usually not entitled to claim any benefits and their income should come from student finance - grant/bursary, loan or through part time employment.

Expenses are irrelevant to benefit entitlements, though I can see why its a problem if student finance doesn't cover basic studying costs costs.

Does the college website have any information on student finance or a student adviser? Some colleges have hardship funds - how about the one(s) the mother and child attend?

forgotmyname

She said the tax credits apply until the course ends. But unlike this year where it extended to the summer holiday. Next year it will end when the last week at college.
Same with child benefit i think she said. The college said at age 19 nothing was available regarding grants etc.

princessdon

forgotmyname wrote: »

TX - Tax Credits yes?

So for some odd reason the council think she either works or earns money?

Student loans = no. Whats a bursery? They get £20 a week to cover travel and uniform costs. Thats all.
Uniform was approx £70 had to have the college logo and name etc. And the travel card was £360 for the 3 terms? (dont have the exact figures).

Thanks

They are mistaking it for an apprenticeship it's not - it's a course that has higher GLH on placement. Get the college to write a letter - very common error. They see the high work placement hours and put as a work based course. If in doubt come back and I will give you the exact exemption code if needed

forgotmyname

Seen the letters. One says SUSPENDED BENEFIT and the other says claim for housing benefit and/or council tax support.

Its rather vague. On one hand it's asking how much Child Benefit they get and how its made up. This is on the inside of the Child Benefit Book. (BOOK)? Do they still have child benefit books? Then on the other hand its asking when it was stopped.

2. Proof of income from (name).

3. Date the benefit stopped.

4. Then proof of student status.


Next letter just says benefits suspended and asking for proof of income etc..
Actual wording..

Before i can re-instate your claim, I will need to see proof of all your income and any capital and savings (e.g. in all bank accounts, building society accounts, savings, shares, investments, bonds and post office accounts).

They want to see proof. So do they need to get statements for every account they have? Who pays the costs for those accounts where no statement is given unless you pay for one?

I can see why but i know i would tell them where to go. But she isnt like me.

She got a ticket recently from a private company. I told her dont you dare pay that. I posted on the parking forum. Just waiting for the NTK to arrive.

I wondered if she got it and paid without telling me. Oh well never mind. Thank you all.


EDIT: PS... Seems they stopped paying the rent before they even sent out the letters. So she is now several weeks in arrears already. That what scared her.
Not what you want just before xmas.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

If IS/JSA/ESA ceases then the claim is suspended and the claimants asked to provide proof of income and capital.

Shelldean

I think this has happened because of the childs age.
I had similar when my son turned 18 I had to prove he was still my dependant and that I was still getting child benefit for him.
Although I did receive a letter asking for this information and if it wasn't provided they would assume he was no longer a dependant and adjust our claim accordingly.
They insisted I prove my son was my dependant even tho our claim stopped on his birthday, due to his twin brother no longer being our dependant!!!!!


Did you sister get a letter recently? asking to prove her child was still a dependant?