Can a young adult claim Universal Credit whilst their parent received maintanence?

Northern_Wanderer

NedS said:

Northern_Wanderer said:

Thanks for this, I understand now. So for the OP's child who is 18, they are no longer "Enrolled on" their course and thus entitlement to child element of UC ends when course ends. OP should inform UC of that change of circumstances if not already done so to prevent overpayments of UC. 

I will try to amend my above posts.

No need to amend your posts - it's useful to be able to see how the discussion evolved. We are all allowed to be wrong occasionally and learn new stuff (I know I am/do). No one knows everything about UC, I can guarantee you that!

I know this area is confusing, and it absolutely has not helped that UC have been getting it wrong for a number of years. Overpayments have absolutely occurred en mass and there has been little to no attempt to identify or recover them. They are finally trying to improve messaging around this to affected claimants in summer, but ultimately it rests with the claimant reporting the change on time, and if UC can’t wrap their heads around the legislation, how is a claimant supposed to know when they should report a change. 

Thanks, I just scored out the info that was factually incorrect. benefits are very complicated. Always something to learn which is why it's so interesting. It's a shame that "Universal Credit" doesn't encompass all benefits together, it "might" make it simpler, but i doubt it! 

NedS

Northern_Wanderer said:

NedS said:

Northern_Wanderer said:

Thanks for this, I understand now. So for the OP's child who is 18, they are no longer "Enrolled on" their course and thus entitlement to child element of UC ends when course ends. OP should inform UC of that change of circumstances if not already done so to prevent overpayments of UC. 

I will try to amend my above posts.

No need to amend your posts - it's useful to be able to see how the discussion evolved. We are all allowed to be wrong occasionally and learn new stuff (I know I am/do). No one knows everything about UC, I can guarantee you that!

I know this area is confusing, and it absolutely has not helped that UC have been getting it wrong for a number of years. Overpayments have absolutely occurred en mass and there has been little to no attempt to identify or recover them. They are finally trying to improve messaging around this to affected claimants in summer, but ultimately it rests with the claimant reporting the change on time, and if UC can’t wrap their heads around the legislation, how is a claimant supposed to know when they should report a change. 

Thanks, I just scored out the info that was factually incorrect. benefits are very complicated. Always something to learn which is why it's so interesting. It's a shame that "Universal Credit" doesn't encompass all benefits together, it "might" make it simpler, but i doubt it! 

Agreed. I think they missed an opportunity to also roll Child Benefit into the child element of UC, rather than means test it in the way they did, but that would have had a knock on impact in terms of NI credits for non working parents of children under 12 receiving CHB. As you say, benefits are complex.

kroebuck1981

Thanks both. No parent claims UC in this situation. 

The mother received both child maintenance from the father and child benefit until aug 2025 (unless she is ending that as part of application her kid has made for UC directly)

Northern_Wanderer

kroebuck1981 said:

Thanks both. No parent claims UC in this situation. 

The mother received both child maintenance from the father and child benefit until aug 2025 (unless she is ending that as part of application her kid has made for UC directly)

I didn't quite understand your post. If the child has claimed UC, the parent will have to inform child benefit of the change of circumstances to prevent overpayment. The father should be informed also as he is no longer required to pay child maintenace, unless he wishes to.