Single parent, tax credits ending soon and need advice please

[Bestoptionhelp]

I’ve got two DC’s , my DD finishes Uni imminently and my DS also finishes his a-levels.
Tax credits and child benefit for DS will now stop, so I’m wondering if anyone has any advice as to how you managed financially if you were in a similar position?
I work part time 24 hours in a minimum wage job, but am willing to up my hours if possible (or change jobs) to 30 hours at least a week, hopefully more.

I’ve read somewhere that if you work 30 hours when you no longer are eligible for child tax credits, you may be entitled to Universal credit to top up your income? Although when I’ve tried putting my income into the entitled to website (as if I am working 30 hours), the calculation says that I’m not entitled to anything, can that be right?
Im not sure if it’s because I’ve put that both DC’s are at home and it will be assumed that they will pay board?
My DD currently pays £25 a week board, but I’m in a dilemma as to whether or not to ask her to pay more soon, as I will also be losing council tax discount of 25% when she finishes Uni.
Another dilemma I have is that both DC’s now tend to spend half the week at home, and half the week at their boyfriend’s, girlfriend’s houses, so I feel it would be unfair of me to ask for much contribution towards our bills. But, on the other hand, I can’t afford to take a huge dip in money because they are registered as living at home, especially if it turns out that I would be entitled to some sort of UC if I was to live alone, although I won’t be turfing my kids out regardless!
I don’t really know what I’m asking, but I want everything to be fair for all three of us.

I did need to work part time but I don’t anymore, no need to state why really.

If my parents had expected me to pay board purely on the basis their benefits had been cut - and they weren't prepared to work full time - then I'd think they were taking the piss to be honest

But we don't know why you won't work full time - so can't say whether it's reasonable to expect more board from your kids or not 🤷🏻‍♀️

In which case go full time. 37 - 40 hours.

If the reason you can't work more hours is ill health then have you applied for PIP? If you do apply, make sure you get help filling out the forms as it is typically turned down on first application.

Get a full time job then! Problem solved

I haven’t said that I wouldn’t work full time,

What's your son going to do now he's finished his A levels? Is your daughter going into full time employment now she's finishing Uni?

They need to pay their way. You can't afford to subsidise them. £500 each a month would be fair if they're both working

The reasons why you can't work more hours could be relevant, so just make sure you check your entitlement to pip and carers allowance, for example.
Otherwise, there isn't much space to advise really. Your daughter can pay the 25% council tax or register herself as living at her boyfriend's for council tax purposes. She can claim uc as well if she isn't working or can get a job to pay bills/food. You could sell and downsize if you need to and if you don't want to ask the kids for money, or you could ask them to buy their own food at least.
Do you currently get working tax credit? I didn't think that would stop until you were migrated onto uc, could be worth checking

Very simple answer - working part time is a privilege you can't afford.

Work full time.

He will be going to Uni, and will be working part time, my daughter is looking for full time work and is currently working part time.
I agree they need to pay their way but considering they’re not here half the week, I just didn’t know what to expect of them

Ok thanks all. Full time it is then

I would look at what it would cost them to rent a room in a house share locally to you, which would probably be inclusive of bills and use that as a starting point. They would have to pay that rent even if they were out at their boyfriend or girlfriends house sometimes.
Then divide weekly food bill by 3.
See what that figure is and start from there.

You said in your OP you'd be prepared to up to 30 hours, that will be necessary and probably full time would be better.

I feel for you. When my dd started uni my income halved when I lost tax credits, child benefit and maintenance.

I increased my hours from 30 to 37 (luckily someone left at work so I was able to do this) but things were tough for a few years.

When dd was home from uni she had to contribute to food otherwise I couldn't afford to feed her.

Your dd at home will need to pay a lot more.

And yes you will loose the council tax reduction. Your dd will have to pay the difference.

Generally you’d still have to pay rent if you’re only at a place part time. Personally I’d probably only re-charge bills but you may not have the funds to be in that position. Is your son going to be living at home or uni accommodation? There’s a limit to how much rent you can charge before you have to declare it.
I think you need to make the shift in your mind that when they’re adults and working they really can’t expect to be paid for by a parent!

I don't understand why it matters that they aren't there half the time. If it's to be considered their home and they are earning why wouldn't they have to pay something towards it? I assume they're not paying rent for their bf's/gf's houses. But eventually they will move out and you need to be in a position where you can afford to fully support yourself.

Why would you think that as a working adult?! You expect to live for free? As an adult you’re offered a place in the home for an amount of rent (and most parents charge way below market value), if you don’t like it you move out. It’s really none of your business what hours your parents work..

This is why even though I am a lone parent of 3 young children, I chose to work full time and progress up the career ladder instead of taking the easier option. Child tax credits are not a permanent solution as children get older and they take it away again.

I'm not judging you at all, its tough doing it alone and sometimes I feel as though I am running on a treadmil, working hard but getting absolutely nowhere. I think full time work is your only option now.

A better solution for single parents would be the government to subsidise childcare and childcare be made much more flexible to allow them to be in work, rather then topping up part time hours.

I am in a similar situation, its an adjustment so I sympathise. Having said that its not exactly a surprise and people do need to plan for this.

You only have two options - earn more or reduce outgoings - or a combination of both.
I worked 24 hours as my son has additional needs, I planned to increase after his GCSEs but an opportunity presented itself when he was 15 to go to 30 hours so I took it.
I’ve remortgaged several times to ensure that it finished before I lost the main benefit I receive for him. As of today I am mortgage free which is a big reduction in outgoings.
I’ve been having conversations about household finances with my son since he was 16. He knows he will have to contribute.
In September when he starts an apprecticeship we will sit down, look at our earnings and decide on a sensible household budget together.

Well in that case, I'd only charge him the £25/week you charged your daughter when she was at Uni. But she needs to pay you a decent amount.

It doesn't really matter if they spend lots of time at their boyfriend/girlfriend's houses - you're providing a roof over her head which is there 24/7 if they choose it.

Do you rent or own? What are you plans for when they move out?

As her Uni finishes will she be back home and at work? don’t leave yourself struggling. Work out your spends each month, minus your salary and there’s her rent

People saying work full time, even working 40 hours a week in a minimum wage job isn't enough to sustain a household.

I'm in the same position, although I work full time and when September comes I'll be earning just enough to cover (ever increasing!) household expenses.

18 year olds earn a crap wage, so I don't think they will be able to cover the shortfall either, as well as save up for a car/ their own home etc.

Maybe if they gave 18 year olds the same minimum wage as 25 year olds + instead of assuming mum and dad can subsidise them not so many would be in this conundrum.

They need to pay board, or you need to increase hours/ take on a second job. When kids age out the financial support ends, so if you haven't planned for this unfortunately it can leave people in a difficult financial situation as you are suddenly without that additional income. There really is very little support for this and I would not assume you will get UC top up just because you work 30hrs instead of 37.5hrs.

I own it outright. Which is another reason why I don’t feel it’s right to charge them for rent as I don’t have to pay it.
But, I have other bills and food costs, so that’s why I asked for £25 off DD, to cover all her food and toiletries (which it doesn’t really) and a bit towards the bills.

Both back at home.