What happens to benefits-16 yr old joining the army.

WantToBeSE

I am just trying to find out what happens when my son joins the army at 16.
He is 15 at the moment, but it doesn't hurt to prepare.


I get WTC and CTC and CB and have 2 children (the 15 year old and 10 year old).


When he goes off to army college, will I still get CB and CTC for him, or does everything stop?

WantToBeSE

thanks blondebubbles. I did read that, but was unsure if the army college comes under 'full time educations' or 'waiting to join the armed forces'.

WantToBeSE

The army college (AFC Harrogate) is for ages 16-18. So they aren't yet in the army (as he is under 18) but is at the college. I am confused by the whole thing.

WantToBeSE

http://www.army.mod.uk/training_education/24445.aspx


A bit of both really. From the website@


"All Junior Soldiers on the Long course are enrolled onto the Army Apprenticeship which is an Intermediate Level 2 Information Communication Technology (ICT) qualification. As part of this qualification Junior Soldiers take exams in Functional Skills English, Maths and ICT, and complete an ICT Diploma"


they also do military studies (learning about the history of the British Army etc).


Nobody seems to be able to tell me if this is an apprenticeship, full time education, or 'waiting to join the armed forces'.

WantToBeSE

Thanks BB. I haven't been able to get through yesterday. I'll try again today.

thorsoak

If and when your son does join the army (as a junior soldier) he will not be living at home - he will be living within barracks/college and will be paid an allowance/wage - therefore you will not have the expense of "keeping him" - so the loss of child benefit, tax credits etc would not have the same impact as they would were he to be taking on an apprenticeship/going to college.

WantToBeSE

thorsoak wrote: »

If and when your son does join the army (as a junior soldier) he will not be living at home - he will be living within barracks/college and will be paid an allowance/wage - therefore you will not have the expense of "keeping him" - so the loss of child benefit, tax credits etc would not have the same impact as they would were he to be taking on an apprenticeship/going to college.

Yes, I am aware of that. I wasn't suggesting otherwise. I just wasn't sure if its classed as employed, apprenticeship or education for TC purposes.

fannyadams

it's a year on. What did you find out?
Resurrecting this thread (if possible).
I am now in that same situation although we think they army might be sponsoring my child to go to college/school to do A levels. He's already in cadets and has applied to join The Army. He would be living at home and studying.
After A levels he's looking to get sponsored by The Army to do engineering at university. Obviously he would live away from home and be training to be an officer during univesity years so I would expect to have no CHB, CTC etc for him.
So question, is being sponsored by the Army to do A levels he's technically not being paid to be a soldier so can I claim CHB etc for him or not?
TIA
FA xx