Losing kids benefits after education

stueybuk

Hi all, I live with my wife and 3 step-children, the youngest of whom is about to finish education. The eldest has severe special needs and my wife is currently her full time carer.
With the younger 2 now finishing college we are now losing certain benefits and are not sure we can afford to live without them.
I already do a part time job alongside my full time job but the numbers just don't seem to add up.
Does anyone have any experience of this or any advice.

Thanks in advance.

Money_maker

Surely they will now go out, find jobs and pay keep?

stueybuk

It will be lovely if they do but really don't want to rely on that and jobs are not that easy to come by these days.

Placitasgirl

The fact is that once children finish education and become adults you also can't expect to rely on benefits to continue to support them as they did when they were children.

Of course jobs aren't easy to come by, but what incentive would they have to even try to secure employment if you continued to receive the level of benefits you did for them when they were children?

I am always saddened and surprised to read posts like these from parents who suddenly wonder how they're going to manage when their benefits for their child/children stop as they enter adulthood, having made no efforts to manage or prepare for the changes in their income when these benefits end. That's not a criticism of the OP, but of the reliance on children's benefits even when those children are growing into adults.

libra10

That's a bit harsh Placistagirl. The OP is working full-time, plus part time job. He also has a child with special needs.


It sounds to me like they're trying hard to manage.

stueybuk

That is a bit condescending really. In an ideal world, the kids would find their own houses, we would downsize and all would be well. The eldest will never be able to work. No 2 already has a job and No 3 is already looking.
I am not "suddenly wondering" how we're going to manage, the fact is I only earn what I earn over 2 jobs. I am always looking to improve on that but how do you prepare for this ? Kick the kids out and let them fend for themselves ? Tell my boss I need to be paid a reasonable wage (as that's likely to happen) ?
It is not lack of preparation, these events were going to happen no matter what.
We all know that children don't stop being children overnight, they still need a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs.

Browntoa

Have you checked on entitledto to make sure you are claiming all you are allowed to ?

stueybuk

I will have a look at that, thanks.

Browntoa

Also chat to one of the specialist disability charities , they often have advisors who help you fill out forms and check what you are claiming

Browntoa

This for example

https://www.scope.org.uk/support/disabled-people/benefits/advice

datlex

OP will your children be working? Could they pay you some board?