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Benefits for A level student

My son is 19, living at home and going to start a 2 year full time a level standard course but doesn't seem to be entitled to any benefits. It'll cost him (us) £50 per week just to get to the college each week and I'm on a zero hour contract currently working 4 hours a month and getting tax credits and my husband only gets DLA. Surely this shouldn't be correct especially if the 19 year old is financially dependent on us.
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  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 18,783 Forumite
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    My son is 19, living at home and going to start a 2 year full time a level standard course but doesn't seem to be entitled to any benefits. It'll cost him (us) £50 per week just to get to the college each week and I'm on a zero hour contract currently working 4 hours a month and getting tax credits and my husband only gets DLA. Surely this shouldn't be correct especially if the 19 year old is financially dependent on us.
    Depending on what type of course he's doing and other income you should still be entitled to Child Benefits and Tax credits for him. At least until his 20th birthday. He could also do some part time work of course, this would also help. No benefits other than that would be available for him.
  • Loz01
    Loz01 Posts: 1,848 Forumite
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    Cant he get a 16-25 railcard or student bus pass from his college? Why does it cost £50 a week? Arent you getting child benefit and tax credits for him still?
  • Caz3121
    Caz3121 Posts: 15,732 Forumite
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    does he have / can he get a part time job? Many students work and study
  • Some colleges have bursaries for students whose families are experiencing hardship. However, there may be certain criteria. Even then, it isn't always an easy process. My youngest son is at college and I'm a carer on Income Support. Despite being told that my son would be elegible for a bursary before he even started, and that bursaries are for families like mine (on benefits), he hasn't had a penny because they keep moving the goalposts. His college is in another town and travel costs aren't cheap, but part of the tax credits that I receive helps to pay for this.
  • olgadapolga
    olgadapolga Posts: 2,313 Forumite
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    There's also the Learner Support Fund. My daughter qualifies for help as our household income is below 30k/annum. You need to speak to the college about financial support.
  • Loz01 wrote: »
    Cant he get a 16-25 railcard or student bus pass from his college? Why does it cost £50 a week? Arent you getting child benefit and tax credits for him still?

    Good idea about the railcard, although it might not be possible as he would have to travel in peak periods. It costs that much because we live in a coastal town and the college is 30 miles away. No child benefit from September 😟
  • Good idea about the railcard, although it might not be possible as he would have to travel in peak periods. It costs that much because we live in a coastal town and the college is 30 miles away. No child benefit from September 😟

    Can he then not get at least a "summer" job ?
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 18,783 Forumite
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    No child benefit from September 😟
    Is that because he reaches 20 or because of another reason like university?
  • As the course is full time and 30 miles away, working would only be possible at the weekend. I'll check with tax credits but I thought they were like child benefit and only include children until they are 20. He is 20 in November and child benefit are stopping it for him this September. Thanks for the replies!
  • Darksparkle
    Darksparkle Posts: 5,465 Forumite
    So can he not work at the weekends? That's what I done when at school/college and a Thursday night as shops opened later.
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