12 Hours or Less Approved Education, 16+

Zeldazog

Hi all

Apologies if this has been asked and answered elsewhere, couldn't find it though.

Two years ago, when son finished school, and planned to go to sixth form, I advised CB that he was studying A Levels and due to finish July 2016 - I have still received this, along with WTC & CTC. I've already had all my letters saying that CB & CTC will end in August, and that WTC will reduce by about £40.

Last year, whilst studying his A2 subjects, he took up Maths as well as is required for his subject at degree level.

So he's staying on another year; he will be doing one A2, plus an AS EPQ. This is under 12 hours. (He's considering doing further maths at AS, which would, I think just push him to the required 12 hours).

After this, depending on results, he hopes to go to Uni in September 2017.

So:

He was accepted on, and continuing in approved education before his 19th birthday (Which will be in January 2017) - if he's doing the required number of hours (more than 12), I continue to receive CB, and therefore I assume the higher WTC and also still receive CTC are passported? I informed them of him carrying on for another year when I did my renewal online last night, but as we don't know if he will have to resit anything (potentially could be resitting a whole year, which will do the trick on hours!) I've not said anothing about hours.

According to rules, I have to advise if he reduces his hours to 12 or less.

If he reduces his hours to 12 or less, do I lose all CB & CTC completely, as well as the reduction in WTC?

I stand to take a drop of around £120 per week, but he will be in sixth form four days per week because of his spread of lessons, so he may struggle to find work well paid enough to make up even some of that difference.

Many thanks if anybody can advise.

(I am a single parent)

Darksparkle

To claim child tax credits and child benefit for a child over 16 they must be in full time non advanced education. Full time education is classed as 12hrs or more.

So if he is doing less than 12hrs then it isn't full time so doesn't qualify.

I assume for WTC you are referring to the lone parent element. If you stop being entitled to CTC then yes you'll stop getting this also.

Do you work over 30hrs per week?

Zeldazog

Yup, I work probably about 45+ generally, but I declare 31 hours - mostly self-employed, and then I am employed for 8 hours a week. Income is low, as I am still developing the business, started turning a small profit this year, but not enough to impact WTC - it was never going to be a quick build as I am an artist and it takes time to get trusted customers, enough experience for commissions, good feedback, reviews for workshops, etc and outlay for upgrading necessary equipment is high.

I just wasn't sure where I stood as he has been doing the 'full-time' and is continuing at the same educational establishment, but finished one subject, hence the hours will be less. There's no middle ground?

It seems so cut and dried, It's just such a shocking drop, not sure how I am going to find the shortfall.

Darksparkle

Understand it's a drop but there needs to be criteria for benefits otherwise everyone could claim.

It would happen when he turns 20 anyway regardless of whether he stayed in education or not so it's still something you would need to plan for.

You say he has 4 days at college but those will be very short days so still evenings and weekends to work and add to household.

Can he not pick up another course even if it's not "needed" as such. When I went to college at 16 that's what I had to do. Not for benefit purposes but to get free education.

I would have had to pay if I did two highers but if I picked three it was free because it was classed as full time. Isn't there any others he's interested in that he could pick up?

Zeldazog

Hi Darksparkle

I totally appreciate that there has to be some criteria, and I knew the day would come (two years ago I expected it to be *this* summer so had two years to be building the business, but he suffered from some serious depression issues, has been in camhs for over two years, and the only way to make sure he was okay was to let my business take a back seat, hence it's not where it should be this yet)

We've already discussed the possibility of him taking an extra subject to make up the hours, so we can look at that when we have to go in for results day. The number of courses available is reducing as our government are yet again changing the rules, and single year AS levels are being phased out. I believe his sixth form already has reduced availability of AS/A2, some courses have already converted to two year A Levels.

Thanks for your help, I wish you'd been able to tell me different! But you've pretty much confirmed what I thought was the case.

Zeldazog

Another question on this

If my son is not classed as being in further education (well not enough to count) and is over 18 would he classed now as a non-dependent adult, whether he finds work or not?

Would this affect my council tax benefit? Would him earning have an impact on my housing benefit?

Thanks

baza52

I would imagine it would impact both