Eldest child has finished education can he/we claim anything?

niftythrifty33

Our eldest son was 18 in March and had his last exam (A-Levels) a few weeks ago mid June. He doesn't want to go to Uni this year (or possibly at all). He works 12 hours per week cleaning but this will finish at the end of July. He has been applying for full time jobs but with not much luck so far.

I have just renewed our child tax credits and informed them of the above. They take him as leaving FT Education from his last exam date. I expect our tax credits to reduce quite a bit (we currently get £70 p/w for 3 kids). Also I expect Child Benefit to stop for him at some point, not sure if I have to call them?

Obviously we are still supporting him, although he does help with jobs, some small food shopping and gives us some 'keep' money now and then. I wondered whether there's any other financial help he can get? As he doesn't earn enough to give us proper keep but we are losing a lot of money?

Thanks in advance

whodathunkit

He can claim JSA at the under 25 rate of £57.35 which will enable him to pay for his keep until he gets a job.

Frogletina

whodathunkit wrote: »

He can claim JSA at the under 25 rate of £57.35 which will enable him to pay for his keep until he gets a job.

Surely he's earning at least this much for 12 hours even at minimum wage.


OP - I know your money will reduce but how much are you asking your son to pay now and how much do you think he is costing you, or as you say, proper keep - if you think the two are different?


I would suggest that instead of him just giving you some keep money now and then, that you agree a figure with him if you are unable to support him properly now that you no longer have the tax credits. I also feel you should sort out the child benefit money asap as I assume you will have to repay back any that you have received since he has been working.

pmlindyloo

Have a read of this:

https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-16-19

Normally after a young person leaves full time education in the summer the child benefit stops on the 31 August.

However, there are various exemptions.

pmlindyloo

Also, if your son starts working more than 24 hours a week or starts claiming JSA in his own right then the child benefit will stop.

https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit/eligibility

You must keep them up to date with any change of circumstances.

McKneff

He wont be able to earn this amount AND get JSA.

niftythrifty33

Thank you all, very helpful advice

whodathunkit

Frogletina wrote: »

Surely he's earning at least this much for 12 hours even at minimum wage.


OP - I know your money will reduce but how much are you asking your son to pay now and how much do you think he is costing you, or as you say, proper keep - if you think the two are different?


I would suggest that instead of him just giving you some keep money now and then, that you agree a figure with him if you are unable to support him properly now that you no longer have the tax credits. I also feel you should sort out the child benefit money asap as I assume you will have to repay back any that you have received since he has been working.

You've missed the fact that his job is due to finish at the end of this month.

joeblack066

I would respectfully suggest that he puts all his energies into finding work, rather than his Parent trying to find out what benefits he may be entitled to.

niftythrifty33

Joe black, you are right and he is doing a lot to search, though could be a bit more proactive. I'm just worrying about the short term effect on our finances. The last thing I want is for him to be on benefits.

Frogletina

whodathunkit wrote: »

You've missed the fact that his job is due to finish at the end of this month.

No, I didn't miss that at all. The OP says she was not getting enough for his keep now and was asking if there was any additional help.


Any JSA he gets when he finishes this job will be similar to what he is earning now. From the figures given, his income is more than his child benefit and the share of tax credits that she is losing.


The OP is still getting child benefits for him, so if she feels that she is losing a lot of money, it would seem that he doesn't even give her enough to cover the loss of the tax credits.