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.

They occasionally stay yes, and I make dinner for them or buy a takeaway maybe, so yes I see what you mean.

I’m off to work now but will check back later. I appreciate the helpful comments.

If you’re able then you need to work full time - not plan to work a few more hours and rely on a benefit top up because it still won’t be as much as when your dc were small. You may find that you’re eligible for benefit anyway, depending on your salary. Lots of single parents work part time until the dc are fully independent so no judgement for that but you do need to face facts now your circumstances have changed. While your dc are living with you, they do need to contribute fairly - do you rent? If so, if they don’t cover their costs, you should consider downsizing. I work as an income advisor in the social housing sector and come across this scenario a lot - none of them ever want to change their way of life and just want another benefit to fill the gap but it doesn’t work like that.

You are very fortunate to own your home outright.

I think that if your children are in paid work they should be contributing towards the bills, not 1/3 but a smaller contribution towards council tax, energy, water, internet and food. As PPs have said, the fact that they're not always home is irrelevant really - they still need a base and until they move out fully you can't get the 25% single person discount on your council tax or get a lodger.

You should also increase your working hours if you can. If you were claiming UC you would be expected to earn the equivalent of 35 hours a week at NMW. I don't think you are eligible for UC though, since you don't pay rent, and wouldn't be entitled to any extra elements by the sounds of it.

If you had a disability or significant health condition, or caring responsibilities, it might be different.

Doesn’t your daughter actually to contribute more if you explain financial difficulties?

Agree with those who are saying that if the dc were lodging they'd have to pay absolutely agree, but a lodger wouldn't pay for repairs and upkeep would they?

Nothing wrong with charging working children rent, but you should be working full time (long before 18) if your income is low you can apply for universal credit but they will expect you to be seeking full time work

You need to talk to your adult children about the shortfall and what needs to happen to balance your budget. Your daughter is only at home 50% of the time (is her boyfriend at yours all the time when she's there, if so that works out at 1 person 100% of the time). All things being equal, she should be looking for full time hours, either one job or getting a 2nd to make up the hours. Your DS is going to be studying and working part-time, so I'd suggest his contribution is lower.

I paid one third of my income at 18 when my mum lost her benefits for me. I was living at home for a year before going to uni and gave her about £150/month (back in the late 90s). I knew I had to make up the difference and worked a job that paid enough to contribute with surplus to fund my social life too.

I would add that my £150/month board was regardless of how many nights I stayed at home or how many meals I ate at home. My mum needed that money until I left for uni, so that's what I paid.

Ds is 17 and once he is working 20 hours a week in a part time job I will definitely charge him £50 a week for food and towards direct debits. Children need to learn to contribute and budget accordingly. I will also be asking ds to pay 25 per cent of the council tax when it starts at age 18 and also for him to pay me the £84 child benefit once that stops. I have no mortgage either but life isn't for free and I will definitely be needing the contribution anyway. His dad will stop paying me maintenance once he is 18 so that is enough in itself for me to cope with.

That said I may charge ds a little less than £50 a week not sure yet depends what he ends up taking home.

My kids are 10/15. They already know whilst in education I will do all I can to support them. Once they are working they need to contribute to the roof over their head.

They can pay £50/75 a week and have the perks of being at home.

They can leave home £££ and I either rent their rooms or I downsize.

There are some variables in that but that is the long and short of it.

I currently work 30 hours a week. And I am expecting to go full time in the next few years.

There is a group on facebook called Universal Credit Survival.

Join it. Ask them to do a calculation for you, which they will, and put in the hours you work.

I would work the right amount and get top ups yes, unless you think you would prefer full-time.

You can use your time then to train in something else. You will also to be able to get some assistance with costs and things to retrain with being on UC.

Use it to your advantage and get a better job? Or can you progress in your line of work to a better role?

absolutely no point OP doing this as she's not entitled to UC.
the standard amount is just under £335 a month. OP is not entitled to any additional elements.
she works 24h/w which is at least £988 a month (gross), it could be more if she earns more than NMW.
she is not entitled to a work allowance so 55% of her total earnings will be deducted from her UC entitlement.
which means she isn't even close to being eligible for UC.

With no kids on the claim and no housing costs op isn't going to be eligible for UC. If op earns over around £650 per month she will not be eligible for any UC.

Sorry didn't see your post/ cross post !

OP with no housing costs then full time NMW should be fairly easily doable.

I would stop considering income (apart from going full time) and start considering where you might be overspending.

As pp said I would charge DD £75 a week after uni, and if DS stays at hoke for uni charge him £25 a week. If you really feel you have to.

Thanks for everyone’s input. It’s given me a lot to think about, I’ll definitely up my hours and will sit down with my DC’s and come to a solution with regards to them paying a fair amount of board.
I’d felt guilty expecting much off them considering they spend a lot of time with their partners. But, your advice has made me see that it doesn’t matter if they’re not always here as they have a roof over their heads whenever they want it, with a bedroom that COULD be being used by a lodger.
(not that I’d really want that) and if they were living elsewhere, or even in Uni digs, they’d still be expected to pay accordingly.

As adults they should be working and paying adequate board. They can move out and pay full rent and bills if they’re unhappy about it.

I just can’t understand how your eldest doesn’t actively want to help out her single mother who is facing financial difficulties

@tomatoandherbs

Maybe her children don't know about her financial situation?

They have a single mother working 24 hours a week and clearly far from living the life of Riley

I would hope that a daughter aged at least 21 would be more…. Thoughtful

Where did I say or even imply that my Daughter doesn’t want to help out? you don’t need to assume things you have no idea over.
I”m sure that when we sit down and work out the best and fairest solution for the 3 of us, she’ll understand that her board will need to be increased to X amount.
She already knows her board will increase, as I’ve said it to her and my DS previously.
It is ME who has felt undecided as to HOW MUCH to increase the board, because as I’ve said, they’re not always here.

Back off with your incorrect assumptions.

Another ridiculous comment you made.