supporting 21yo full time student, housing benefit ?

wantoknow_2

Hello

My friends (family of 4) support their son who is 21 and full time student (UWE, Uniformed and public services full time, undergraduate). their daughter is 15.
The questions are:
1. when applying for housing benefits, he is dependant or non dependant
2. any help available for families like that

also their child benefit for their son stopped when he was 16 or 18. they did not know that they can continue to receive child benefit if he goes into full time education. Can they claim it back?

Thank you x

BigAunty

Here are the rules about child benefit -

You can't get Child Benefit if your child is doing:

• higher education, such as a course at university level

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/keep-up-to-date/when-child-aged-16/child-16.htm

He is classed as a non-dependent - his full time university studies make no difference. This website provides a good definition of what constitutes a ND.

http://www.hackney.gov.uk/f-non-dependant-deductions.htm#.UxS-KYX_LLQ