Child Tax Credit and Home Education

sarah222

I have a friend who is currently receiving child tax credit - her daughter is home educated and has turned 16. They have written to her asking about her daughters education status. She has confirmed she is in full time education but studing at home. They have asked for proof?? Has anyone else come across this before? What did you provide. She is going to college in September but at this stage is home educated so technically cant provide attendance records as such. As a home educator myself this situation worries me. She is concerned that they will reduce her benefit and insist she pays money back. Any advise is welcome.

sarah222

I add that Child Benefit were fine asked the same question she replied and they said fine and payment continued it is the tax credit that are pushing for more

sarah222

At present she is home educated so no course until September. She is just brushing up on subjects so I understand pending starting the course. Most 16 year olds wouldn't leave till May or June now anyway but that doesn't seem acceptable

letthemeatcake

I would phone them up and ask what proof they require.

aimee0763

A child can receive child tax credit up to the age of 20 years old my son just turned 20 and only then did the child benefit and child tax credit stopped. to be receiving child tax credit they need to be in education and not studying higher degree courses, they have to study at level 2 & 3 or NVQ level 2 and 3 anything higher than that the child tax credit will stop.

my son did an AAT course at college level 2 and 3 he was receiving both benefits but when he went on to level 4 AAT he's had to stop the course because both benefit stopped and also they have to be in full time education equivalent of two full days of studying is sufficient enough to get child and tax credit benefits.

FionaN

Hi

Just joined the forum to reply to this. I got Tax Credits and Child Benefit till my son turned 20. He was home educated autonomously not doing any courses or exams.

The important thing is to be "working towards" qualifications.

I have quite a bit of info on my website (Edyourself) about it.

Apparently I can't post links because I'm new, sorry!

angelsmomma

FionaN wrote: »

Hi

Just joined the forum to reply to this. I got Tax Credits and Child Benefit till my son turned 20. He was home educated autonomously not doing any courses or exams.

The important thing is to be "working towards" qualifications.

I have quite a bit of info on my website (Edyourself) about it.

Apparently I can't post links because I'm new, sorry!

Fiona has a lot of very useful information on her website

http://edyourself.org/articles/welfarereform.php#childtaxcreditpost16homeed