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Benefits for a 16 year old with no parental support
pmaceach
Posts: 1 Newbie
I have taken in a 16 year old as she was made homeless two months ago by her mother. She has had no contact or financial support since then. Her dad died a while ago.
Me and my husband both work full-time and earn over the threshold for getting any benefits. We have four kids and three of them are still entitled to child benefit.
She tried claiming child benefit for herself as advised to by the child benefit helpline but then got a letter saying she couldn't do this. If I claim child benefit for her she will get the lesser amount as two of my children (twins) are older than her. I know it is only £7.00 per week but this could buy her quite a lot.
She has been able to claim housing benefit and is getting £40.00 a week from them towards paying rent. We claimed £100.00 rent for giving her full board accommodation as the local homeless association advised us to do but they are only willing to pay £40.00. If we hadn't taken her in she would have been housed by the council in a bed and breakfast which would have cost them a lot more than £100.00 per week.
She has tried claiming EMA as she is still in full time education but she is unlikely to get it as our income will be taken into consideration.
She is going to get herself a part-time job after school and at the weekends but was waiting until things were more settled. She is a good kid and has her head screwed on after all she has been through and I am quite happy to take her in but was wondering did anyone have any experience/advice of the same kind of situation as the financial outlay will affect the whole family.
Me and my husband both work full-time and earn over the threshold for getting any benefits. We have four kids and three of them are still entitled to child benefit.
She tried claiming child benefit for herself as advised to by the child benefit helpline but then got a letter saying she couldn't do this. If I claim child benefit for her she will get the lesser amount as two of my children (twins) are older than her. I know it is only £7.00 per week but this could buy her quite a lot.
She has been able to claim housing benefit and is getting £40.00 a week from them towards paying rent. We claimed £100.00 rent for giving her full board accommodation as the local homeless association advised us to do but they are only willing to pay £40.00. If we hadn't taken her in she would have been housed by the council in a bed and breakfast which would have cost them a lot more than £100.00 per week.
She has tried claiming EMA as she is still in full time education but she is unlikely to get it as our income will be taken into consideration.
She is going to get herself a part-time job after school and at the weekends but was waiting until things were more settled. She is a good kid and has her head screwed on after all she has been through and I am quite happy to take her in but was wondering did anyone have any experience/advice of the same kind of situation as the financial outlay will affect the whole family.
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Comments
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She needs to claim Income Support 0800 0 55 66 88 ASAP.0
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Yes, she may be eligible for income support. What is the nature of her 'tenancy' with you? Are you assuming the role of responsible adult or just putting her up?0
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Got nothing to add benefits wise but as far as the girl is concerned she is extremely lucky to have a guardian angel in you.
Others have been less fortunate. God bless xBe happy, it's the greatest wealth
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I have taken in a 16 year old as she was made homeless two months ago by her mother. She has had no contact or financial support since then. Her dad died a while ago.
Me and my husband both work full-time and earn over the threshold for getting any benefits. We have four kids and three of them are still entitled to child benefit.
She tried claiming child benefit for herself as advised to by the child benefit helpline but then got a letter saying she couldn't do this. If I claim child benefit for her she will get the lesser amount as two of my children (twins) are older than her. I know it is only £7.00 per week but this could buy her quite a lot.
She has been able to claim housing benefit and is getting £40.00 a week from them towards paying rent. We claimed £100.00 rent for giving her full board accommodation as the local homeless association advised us to do but they are only willing to pay £40.00. If we hadn't taken her in she would have been housed by the council in a bed and breakfast which would have cost them a lot more than £100.00 per week.
She has tried claiming EMA as she is still in full time education but she is unlikely to get it as our income will be taken into consideration.
She is going to get herself a part-time job after school and at the weekends but was waiting until things were more settled. She is a good kid and has her head screwed on after all she has been through and I am quite happy to take her in but was wondering did anyone have any experience/advice of the same kind of situation as the financial outlay will affect the whole family.
You will always receive £20 CB for the eldest child and £13 for any subsequent children in your care. You will get £20, plus 3 x £13. When the twins are too old to qualify you will get £20 for child you took in and a further £13 for your younger child.
You may be able to claim Guardian's Allowance. This can be paid when only 1 parent has died and the other either does not have custody or is not contributing towards their keep. If the mother works, you will be expected to claim child support via the csa or a private agreement - that could rule out the financial criteria for qualifying for Guardianship allowance. Legally the mother has custody - that can be changed by application to court - possibly you could then qualify for any shortfall in contribution from the mother (Guardianship allowance is paid in addition to CB and is £14pw). Extra info below.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/guard-allowance.htm#10 -
At the moment the 16 yr. old is being treated as independent and not part of your household as they have successfully claimed Housing Benefit.
As mentioned a claim should be put in for Income Support. If on IS they will automatically get full EMA (but I presume this would be taken off the IS, should be checked) also can only work for up to 16 hours if on IS and would be £5 better off as the rest would be taken £ for £ off the benefit.
The Connexions Leicester website explains this clearly.
They might be able to get help with transport costs to school/college from the local authority Direct.gov and also help with costs from the discretionary support funds available in the school/college Direct.gov.Torgwen.......... ...........0 -
Actualy a 16 year living away from home as an independant can claim the 18 yo+ rate of IS if in full time education and get the full amount of EMA. EMA is not taken into consideration if on IS because you are under 19 and in full time education. HOWEVER this advice is wrong if an adult claims Child benefit for the 16 yo. You would be better off/ she will be better off if you go down the housing benefit route, IS and EMA. EG you would be better off getting her to claim HB and getting her to pay board out of the £51 a week IS she will get and £30 a week EMA she will get.
If you need any mor explaination on this please feel free to e-mail me. I must admit I am not a benefits advisor but was estranged from my parents at 16 and have claimed these benefits ina similar situation to this young girl so I have a lot of experience around this area, which most benefits advisors dont as it is an unusual situation!At the moment the 16 yr. old is being treated as independent and not part of your household as they have successfully claimed Housing Benefit.
As mentioned a claim should be put in for Income Support. If on IS they will automatically get full EMA (but I presume this would be taken off the IS, should be checked) also can only work for up to 16 hours if on IS and would be £5 better off as the rest would be taken £ for £ off the benefit.
The Connexions Leicester website explains this clearly.
They might be able to get help with transport costs to school/college from the local authority Direct.gov and also help with costs from the discretionary support funds available in the school/college Direct.gov.Baby Mazza due New Years Day 2013!0 -
No, 65p out of every pound is taken over the £5 disregard, not £ for £.At the moment the 16 yr. old is being treated as independent and not part of your household as they have successfully claimed Housing Benefit.
As mentioned a claim should be put in for Income Support. If on IS they will automatically get full EMA (but I presume this would be taken off the IS, should be checked) also can only work for up to 16 hours if on IS and would be £5 better off as the rest would be taken £ for £ off the benefit.
The Connexions Leicester website explains this clearly.
They might be able to get help with transport costs to school/college from the local authority Direct.gov and also help with costs from the discretionary support funds available in the school/college Direct.gov.Baby Mazza due New Years Day 2013!0 -
She has only been given £40 a week housing benefit as she is under 25 and will only be given the single room rate for housing benefit unless she is rehoused through the local authority.
She needs to apply for social housing from the local authority, stating that she is staying with you only until she is rehoused, and that she cannot return.
A child cannot claim child benefit for themselves. She needs to claim income support and clearly state that she is estranged from her parent and is now living as an indepedant in you household.
What local authority area do you live in? Has the young person looked at supported housing schemes locally as an alternative to b+b?I have taken in a 16 year old as she was made homeless two months ago by her mother. She has had no contact or financial support since then. Her dad died a while ago.
Me and my husband both work full-time and earn over the threshold for getting any benefits. We have four kids and three of them are still entitled to child benefit.
She tried claiming child benefit for herself as advised to by the child benefit helpline but then got a letter saying she couldn't do this. If I claim child benefit for her she will get the lesser amount as two of my children (twins) are older than her. I know it is only £7.00 per week but this could buy her quite a lot.
She has been able to claim housing benefit and is getting £40.00 a week from them towards paying rent. We claimed £100.00 rent for giving her full board accommodation as the local homeless association advised us to do but they are only willing to pay £40.00. If we hadn't taken her in she would have been housed by the council in a bed and breakfast which would have cost them a lot more than £100.00 per week.
She has tried claiming EMA as she is still in full time education but she is unlikely to get it as our income will be taken into consideration.
She is going to get herself a part-time job after school and at the weekends but was waiting until things were more settled. She is a good kid and has her head screwed on after all she has been through and I am quite happy to take her in but was wondering did anyone have any experience/advice of the same kind of situation as the financial outlay will affect the whole family.Baby Mazza due New Years Day 2013!0
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