Son leaves college now looking for work

SeaJ

Hey all

My 18-year-old has just quit college to sign on and he's looking for a full-time job. We (his parents) are not working and are on housing benefits and council tax. Currently, he's not working as he's only just left college, so does anyone know if the money we have coming in will be affected?

The way I see it, we were having (roughly) £60 child tax credits and £20 child benefit per week, so does that mean we will now lose £80 per week? I claim ESA for me and my wife; my wife claims nothing.

Darksparkle

Yes both child tax credits and child benefit will stop.

pmlindyloo

Has your son actually started a claim for JSA/UC?

If he makes a claim for a benefit in his own right then your child benefit and child tax credits will stop. You must inform HMRC and The Child Benefit Office of the change of circumstances.

If he hasn't started claiming JSA/UC in his own right then I believe that you can carry on claiming CB and CTC for a while (Darksparkle will confirm or I'll try and find a link)

Obviously you could then give the equivalent of his JSA pay (minus of course his 'keep' to you). If you feel that signing on gives him more purpose then you can stop the CB and CTC (but still ask for some money towards his 'keep')

There will be no non dependent deduction from your HB/CTR as he is under 25/receiving income based JSA/UC but you should inform the council of the change of circumstances.

ESA will not be affected unless you have the severe disability premium added on to your ESA.

SeaJ

That's a massive hit

Thank you all for the advice

seven-day-weekend

He will have to give you some 'keep' out of his JSA, or from his wages if he gets a job. This should offset the loss of income a little.

Although you must have expected it, surely?

Mojisola

SeaJ wrote: »

My 18-year-old has just quit college to sign on and he's looking for a full-time job.

The way I see it, we were having (roughly) £60 child tax credits and £20 child benefit per week, so does that mean we will now lose £80 per week?

I claim ESA for me and my wife; my wife claims nothing.

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Although you must have expected it, surely?

It would have been worth planning for this for the last couple of years - the loss of these benefits was inevitable.

Could your wife claim Carer's Allowance - or would that affect the benefits you're already getting?

Stop_Watch

could your wife not work?

SeaJ

Oh we knew it was coming, I just wasn't sure (for definite) it was an £80 drop

TELLIT01

I don't know if this is relevant as nothing has been said about what the son was doing at college.

"If you!!!8217;re studying for A level or an equivalent qualification, you can!!!8217;t usually get JSA until you have stopped studying and your parents have stopped getting Child Benefit for you. Child Benefit payments stop after the last day of February, May, August or November (whichever comes first)."

If it does apply then at least there is a bit of breathing space and he will hopefully get a job before these stop.

pmlindyloo

There may be more bad news for you financially. Sorry.

From previous posts it seems that you may be receiving the severe disability premium with your ESA. Are you? Take a look at your ESA award letter.

Now that your son is a non dependent then this will end. You need to inform the DWP that your son is no longer in full time education.

However, with the loss of the SDP both of you may be able to claim Carer's Allowance for each other.

I suggest that you go to the CAB and ask them to take a look at your situation and advise you as regards Carer's Allowance. This may make up for some of your loss with your ESA.

poppy12345

According to the OP other posts they have an elder son at home. If this is the case they shouldn't have been claiming SDP, if they were.