16 Yr Old..Homeless?

Savvy_Sue

I wonder if what Vicki was saying is that if the youngster gets IS in her own right, then no-one will be able to claim CB for her? Even though if she was living non-independently but still studying at this age, someone would be able to claim it for her! Does that make sense?

Fran

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I wonder if what Vicki was saying is that if the youngster gets IS in her own right, then no-one will be able to claim CB for her? Even though if she was living non-independently but still studying at this age, someone would be able to claim it for her! Does that make sense?

Yes Sue! Ignore my last post. :rolleyes:

Vickicb

Yes, that's right. Once she claimed income support in her own right then noone could claim Child Benefit for her. EMA was automatic as she was on Income Support, so adds up to £76 per week.

skintas_2

this sounds like my sisters girlfriend, she moved in with my mum when she was 15 cos her mum couldnt give a ****..... yes her mum did keep all the child benefit and the income support she recieved for her daughter. my mum let her stay for 4 years with nothing off her mother. good luck in all u do....... yes my mum was also a single mum, she was working

ellas9602

Hello
Thanks for all the kind replies.

Girl (I'll call her H) is still with us. Her mother made contact late last week and they ended up having a telephone argument that didn't really go anywhere. Her mum asked her to go visit this weekend to talk but she refused. Me and OH also tried to persuade her to go and talk it through but she wouldn't. She claims that they have been here so many times and nothing changes. My OH also had a converstion with her mum which was far from normal.


DD has said that for a few months H had a few suicidal episodes and was also taking drugs (e's and weed) every weekend but this has all stopped in the last few weeks. Is this just because she feels happier or because she's on her best behaviour and has broken the drugs/depression cycle?? This is a worry to me. Do I get her medical help? She's not very talkative and is over-polite IYKWIM.


She's still awaiting EMA and IS and we have had to lend her some money. I've had a letter from the benefits agency asking us to confirm that we are accomadting her, that we can continue to do so, and if we require any money for doing so.

I think her mum would go ballistic if we started to get some money for caring for her and if we did say we required some money would this be taken from H's benefits? I really don't want money but when i think about it this girl NEVER stops eating, seriously, we've been getting through a block of butter and nearly 2 loves a day plus i make her a packed lunch every day and take her to college. We have 3 children (one with OHs ex whom we pay CSA to), two dogs and a HUGE mortgage so i suppose it's only fair. But we would feel so guilty for saying yes and would worry about what people think.

My other problem is that although H is lovely and has been DD's best friend for ever she's not without problems. She's now on the housing register and is apparently looking forward to having her own place. We know this could cause problems for us and Our own DD who no doubt will want to spend all her time round at H's flat/not wanting to come home/allowing anyone and everyone in/drinking/drugs.....

I'd like for H to go home to be honest but it's jst not happening and she puts forward some really good reasons why (she really doens't have it good at home)

I wonder if by saying I can continue to house her the benefits agency may not consider the housing application??
I'd rather have H here where I can see her than off into some unknown and taking our DD with her.
sorry for rambling..I think there were some questions in there somewhere!

Savvy_Sue

Only thing I can say in answer to your questions is that the benefits application and her application for housing are two different and separate systems. But I am not sure what the implications of you saying you could or could not continue to accommodate her would be. One point of asking the question is to ensure that the child isn't making a false claim, ie saying she's left home but actually not having done so.

She must have a Connexions Personal Adviser, who might or might not be able to talk to you about her situation (probably not in detail), but should be able to advise you in general on her options and how the 'system' works, particularly wrt housing applications for young people. Since your daughter is the same age, it's a reasonable question for you to ask in any case.

Have just thought that Shelter should be able to advise you on what the implications are for both benefits and housing - they have a national helpline and do work with young people so should be well geared up for all your questions!

One specific question to ask is whether there's a Foyer or specialist provision for young people's housing in your area. If there is, and if this girl gets into it, then I'd worry less about your DD hanging out round there, because there WILL be some low key supervision and 'rules' (particularly in a Foyer). Not to mention support, along the lines of making sure the girl understands the need to budget and pay the rent on time etc!

foreversomeday

Hello

Where I live there is a scheme called the "Young Housing Project", Googling this (Or "Young people's housing" etc) brings up results from all around the country, so try searching for this.

It seems to be for young people who are out of work or still in education who can't live at home for whatever reason - a bit like how fostering works for younger teens/kids. I know about this because a friend of mine applied for it. She was in danger living at home, and she applied for this and is now living in a shared house with another girl about the same age. She's also been encouraged to take a course at the local college - I'm not sure though whether this was by the housing project people, her social worker or counsellor - we're not that close friends.

Anyway worth looking into and good luck!

lewt

http://www.stchris.org.uk/