Child turning 18 - c£800 a month lost

[Deleted User]

When I was in the same situation, I still received child maintenance (a lot less lol) whilst my son was in full time education. You won't lose that, as said, unless they go to university.

If they are in university, assuming they will live in halls should be almost self supporting. However watch out for them spending the loan the first month (mine did) and you still having to send money (I did and I'm on benefits and like you, getting a lot less money, I just had to cut back). You also have to be prepared to pay #250 deposit on accommodation etc, first couple of weeks support whilst waiting for loan to come through (so love freshers week.., not. Went into the shared kitchen and saw a table covered in enough bottles of spirits to open a brewery that I haven't been able to afford for years). University is inevitably a strain for the parent. I had to collect my son a couple of times when he couldn't cope - that wasn't fun when I had no extra money lol. My son is a bit autistic, so needs more support but you will need some emergency money set aside just in case.

Encourage them to get a job during the long holiday - actively lol. There are also on campus jobs, regular and irregular (helping out with open days) that will give them some sort of income too.

If they aren't at university yet, I am afraid you will have to start saving, hard. Its what I did. You will be poorer, its inevitable. How well you prepare will make the difference. Not being patronising or tell you what to do, just passing on my experience. Its hard, I know. Went into overdraft for the first time for years this Xmas inspite of being very careful what I spent on Xmas (a third of what I normally spend).

pipkin71

Jaclynsurrey wrote: »

Hello

I guess i am looking for advance advice/help! My daughter will be 18 next March (2019) and is currently in full time education, when she turns 18 I will loose a substantial amount of money a month as follows:

£396 per month Child maintenance
£75 per week Working/Child Tax Credits
£82 per 4 weeks Child Benefit
plus i will lose my 25% Council Tax relief which will cost me an extra £23 a month

so all in all £826 a month down!

I take home £1200 a month from my job and this will be what I have to live on. I rent my house, a very modest 2 bedroom, no garden, terraced house for £595 a month so after rent and council tax I am left with about £500 for all other bills and to live on. I cant move as my daughter will still be living with me and needs a bedroom.

My daughter plans to work and will contribute to the house but obviously she wont be contributing anything near £800.

Any ideas on whether I am entitled to anything or whether my daughter would be entitled to claim anything to help or just how an earth I am mean to survive!!

Thank you in advance

Jac

It is a big change but it is surprising how you adapt My girls are 19 and 20 so I know where you're coming from I would suggest that, if possible, try and build up some savings. If your daughter is in college, although she is 18 in March, child related benefits won't end until the end of August / beginning of September 2019.

Have a look at reducing any debts, if you have them; reduce outgoings. The old style board is great for ways of cutting down on grocery spends. Check you have the best energy tariff and keep a spending diary to see if you are wasting money without realising.

I started preparing in the twelve months before the eldest finished college, so the shortfall - although noticeable at first - didn't leave us in any hardship.

Good luck with it all

[Deleted User]

sorry yes, to go through things in more detail

You won't lose child benefit, child maintenance, child tax credits while your daughter is under 20 and in further education.

While she is a student full stop, you will still receive council tax 25% discount.

I think you are acting on false information.

You will lose the benefits once she goes to university.

As she isn't even 18 yet, you DO have time to reduce your outgoings, increase your income and save.

pipkin71

deannatrois wrote: »

sorry yes, to go through things in more detail

You won't lose child benefit, child maintenance, child tax credits while your daughter is under 20 and in further education.

While she is a student full stop, you will still receive council tax 25% discount.

I think you are acting on false information.

You will lose the benefits once she goes to university.

As she isn't even 18 yet, you DO have time to reduce your outgoings, increase your income and save.

I should have also said, if she stays at college until 19, child related benefits won't end until August / September 2020

FBaby

OP has stated her DD plans to work not go to Uni. She will therefore be in a position to contribute. The issue is that the share of the costs wont come to the £800 she is currently getting so won't get that from her DD. At least the situation will make her ex happy he doesnt have to pay almost £400 a month any longer.

Darksparkle

FBaby wrote: »

OP has stated her DD plans to work not go to Uni. She will therefore be in a position to contribute. The issue is that the share of the costs wont come to the £800 she is currently getting so won't get that from her DD. At least the situation will make her ex happy he doesnt have to pay almost £400 a month any longer.

Post 4 seems to suggest she’s not made up her mind about uni.

Comms69

skcollobcat10 wrote: »

I am surprised the amount of kids who go to uni whether they can afford it or not. There should be far fewer going and only if they have exceptional talent. Also making sure that the degree they choose will get them a proper job when they complete course. I feel far too many kids get themselves into long term debt taking years to have to pay it off.

Adults.... They're all 18.

Tabbytabitha

Jaclynsurrey wrote: »

Unfortunately it only carries on if she stays in college not university, if that's what she decided to do.

But thank you for the information it was useful

But once she's at university (if she stays at home) she'll receive a maintenance loan that will enable her to pay all her expenses so that your total outgoings will go down at the same time as your income does.

Darksparkle

skcollobcat10 wrote: »

I am surprised the amount of kids who go to uni whether they can afford it or not. There should be far fewer going and only if they have exceptional talent. Also making sure that the degree they choose will get them a proper job when they complete course. I feel far too many kids get themselves into long term debt taking years to have to pay it off.

When I was at school it was just assumed you’d go to uni (if you were passing exams). There wasn’t a conversation about whether you actually wanted to go or not. Just that you were going and you had to pick a subject.

System

skcollobcat10 wrote: »

I am surprised the amount of kids who go to uni whether they can afford it or not. There should be far fewer going and only if they have exceptional talent. Also making sure that the degree they choose will get them a proper job when they complete course. I feel far too many kids get themselves into long term debt taking years to have to pay it off.

I think you are ill informed there. Debt gets wiped after 25-30 years and they only take 9% of your earnings above a certain amount each month for example you have to earn £21,000 per year first (there is roumour this may rise to £26,000) before you get to that limit so it isn’t about getting into debt. You can get a much better job having a degree than not. It’s not unaffordable going to university, I would much rather my kids did that then just went into work straight from college.