Son 16 in full time education

Ettenna

Am I the only person who doesn't have a problem? I had no problem when my youngest turned 16 two years ago - I phoned Child Benefit to say she was staying on at college and they informed tax credits. I called CB again when she turned 18 to say she was staying on at college for a further year and they informed tax credits again. I got my recalculation letter through very quickly and my payments haven't stopped at all!

tori.k

FBaby wrote: »

But why assume that those who work never experience such issues? I didn't get paid for two months when I started my new jobs because of issues that were nothing to do with me. If anyone should hope that things worth smoothly, it should be those who provide a service for that remuneration and yet they too deal with incompentencies.

Whether a family is well-off, just about managing, or having to be extra careful, everyone should have a contingency budget comparable to the income they receive. It might mean £500 a month for the well-off, £50 for those who about manage, and £5 for those who count every penny but enough to ensure a shopping treat, or paying a minimum amount for an oncoming bill. I struggle to believe that families receiving tax credits are not able in any way of saving £5 a month.

It's not just about money, it's the knock on effect that not having the paperwork. Children have to stay in education or training until 17/18 now schools need the paperwork for transport, free school meals and bursary's. They could run awards till the end of September to give themselves some breathing room if they need it with little effect to both themselves or the claimant's.

If this happens every year then it's expected HRMC should have it's house in order by now to deal with it. Any other business that inefficient would have folded by now.

silvercar

Always the possibility that some 16 year olds could do some temporary work in their time off school to contribute to the family pot. I know that not all would be able and willing and find work, but it is a possibility.

FBaby

zagfles wrote: »

Why is the expectation different? Tax credits aren't some optional or discretionary payment which HMRC can pay if they feel like it, they are payments defined by rules laid down by law. Claimants have just as much right to expect the payments the law entitles them to as HMRC have to expect people to pay taxes the law says they have to.

well that would be the same argument than whether someone paying for private healthcare shouldn't expect better service than going to the NHS. Yes, theoretically, the NHS should offer the same level of service than is available in the private sector, but the reality is that if you pay for something (or provide a service for remuneration), you can expect better quality service.

zagfles

blondebubbles wrote: »

The school leaving age is different in different countries within UK.

Also some of the education/training that children can choose to do instead of school doesn't always qualify for tax credits.

If they ran awards to end of September then parents with children that left education/no longer qualify would be overpaid.

31st August is used as this is considered the end of the academic year.

The simple answer would be to make the change to the award when they're informed, not in September.

zagfles

FBaby wrote: »

well that would be the same argument than whether someone paying for private healthcare shouldn't expect better service than going to the NHS. Yes, theoretically, the NHS should offer the same level of service than is available in the private sector, but the reality is that if you pay for something (or provide a service for remuneration), you can expect better quality service.

Really? Personally I'd trust HMRC to give a better quality service than a lot of employers

silvercar

zagfles wrote: »

The simple answer would be to make the change to the award when they're informed, not in September.

It isn't that simple, a lot of 16 year olds are not in a position to make firm decisions on what they will do in September until they receive their gcse results towards the end of August.

zagfles

silvercar wrote: »

It isn't that simple, a lot of 16 year olds are not in a position to make firm decisions on what they will do in September until they receive their gcse results towards the end of August.

People already tell HMRC about their child staying on in education before they're certain. The only difference I'm suggesting is that HMRC apply the change as soon as they're told rather than wait till September. The award won't be affected pre-September anyway.

In both cases there'll be an overpayment if the child doesn't stay on and the parent doesn't update HMRC promptly. The difference is that where the parent's prediction was correct, there will be no interruption in payments.

silvercar

zagfles wrote: »

People already tell HMRC about their child staying on in education before they're certain. The only difference I'm suggesting is that HMRC apply the change as soon as they're told rather than wait till September. The award won't be affected pre-September anyway.

In both cases there'll be an overpayment if the child doesn't stay on and the parent doesn't update HMRC promptly. The difference is that where the parent's prediction was correct, there will be no interruption in payments.

Maybe hmrc would prefer underpayments to overpayments, helps their cash flow.

zagfles

silvercar wrote: »

Maybe hmrc would prefer underpayments to overpayments, helps their cash flow.

Spreading a one week underpayment over the rest of the year will make virtually no difference to their cashflow - it will cost them far more dealing with queries from people who want to know where their payments are.