child drops out of college and on a low income

heartshaped

Hiya, I started work again back in December, and have been claiming child tax credit, working tax credit and lone parent, as my son went to college. he has now decided to drop out as he's not enjoying the course and didn't do well with the exams. I work between 16 and 35 hours as a carer, I am contracted to 16 but they have been short staffed and I have been helping out. I realise I will lose the benefits I have been claiming for my son as he wont be in education. I earn £500-£600 a month, according to the entitled to site I am not able to claim anything. Is this correct as after I'v paid rent and council tax, it will leave me with less than the JSA i was receiving prior to working?

Valley's_girl

Hi I don't have any advice for you but I am sure that someone will be along shortly who will be able to advise you.
Best wishes
Ally x

dmg24

As your son is no longer in education he will be expected to get a job and bring in an income of his own.

Unless you are entitled to any HB and CTB due to being on a low income, you will not be entitled to any benefits.

JimmyTheWig

Don't want to sound harsh on the poor lad, but isn't it partly his responsibility to pull his weight?
If you lose benefits by him dropping out of college then I think you should be charging him board. If that means he has to find a job before he leaves college then so be it.

Oldernotwiser

Depending on his age, he could have a chat with Connexions and find another course he could start in September. If not, he needs to get a job and start paying his way. There's a shortage of carers in most areas so I'm sure you'll have no problems in getting more hours.
Good luck.

Fran

Hi heartshaped,

If your son is under 18 Child Benefit can be extended.

See HMRC website

Extended Child Benefit after a young person leaves full-time further education or approved training

When a young person leaves full-time further education or approved training Child Benefit can be extended for up to 20 weeks if they are under age 18 and all of the following apply:
they have registered for work, education or training with the Careers Service, or Connexions Service (in Northern Ireland, the Department for Employment and Learning or an Education and Library Board), the Ministry of Defence or any corresponding body in another European Union member state
they are not working for 24 hours or more a week for which payment is received or expected
immediately before the extension period begins you were entitled to Child Benefit for the young person
you make a written request for the extension within three months of the end of education or training
the extension period for that person has not ended.

From neath-porttalbot.gov re Child Tax Credits:

If s/he leaves education before the age of 18, then s/he can continue counting as a dependent young person for a further 20 weeks, as long as s/he registers with Careers Service, Connexions or Job Centre Plus. If s/he starts a training programme (with an allowance) or a job within those 20 weeks, then s/he ceases to be a dependent young person immediately.

If he isn't doing education or training and hasn't got a job and is 18 he can sign on for Jobseekers Allowance. If he gets a job he would then however be a non-dependant for Housing & Council Tax Benefit purposes and there would be a non-dependant deduction from any entitlement you might have at any time.

krisskross

Once you no longer are claiming for a child the hours to be able to claim WTC extend from 16 to 30 a week I believe.

allen35

Fran is right about being able to claim jobseekers allowance in his own right but you wont have to pay non-dependent deductions while he is claiming as this doesn't affect your son until he is 25 as long as he is claiming jobseekers allowance or income support

Fran

allen35 wrote: »

Fran is right about being able to claim jobseekers allowance in his own right but you wont have to pay non-dependent deductions while he is claiming as this doesn't affect your son until he is 25 as long as he is claiming jobseekers allowance or income support

Thanks, I have edited my post. :beer: