Universal Credits child turning 18

[ThingsCanGetBetter]

I have written in my journal but have had no reply as of yet…
my daughter turns 18 on Saturday. She’s finishing her college course next month and has a place to continue in September but she’s unsure whether she wants to go back or get a full time job. I have a few questions if anyone has been in a similar situation and can enlighten me. Many Thanks!

1. Do I enter the change of circumstance on her birthday to UC or will they already know?
2. Do I say she’s staying in education even tho she’s not 100% sure yet then let them know as soon as possible when she’s decided?
3. I have been sent a letter to declare what her next steps are which has a month to be sent back? Would it be advised to state she’s going back to college with her acceptance place then contact them if plans change?

As long as you she still is in education you will be paid till August as it finishes paying the child element till the academic year they turn 19. So basically it won't stop on her birthday.

I assume the letter is in case she wishes to start her own UC claim.

Wait till she knows for sure. Either way UC will
continue to be paid to end August. As will child benefit.

Isn't it based on the child benefit? The D.C. comes off the claim when their CHB ends.

I wouldn't be entering anything in the journal.

I don't know anything about UC, but I'm trying to find out as much as I can as I will be supporting my friend through his claim & this kind of situation.

if I had to choose I'd do 3, but interested to see what those 'in the know' say.

Option 3 safest. And easiest to change.

She can apply for jobs and apprenticeships. But it’s quite difficult at the moment. I’d wait till she definitely isn’t taking her college place. Even then you get 20 weeks of continuation of child benefit if she registers with the careers service.

You will have to contact them and tell them what she's doing, they won't already know. If she stays at college everything will continue the same until August 2025. I was on Tax Credits previously and got letters saying my payments were changing because my son was leaving education (he wasn't, but it was on me to make that known). If she leaves college this summer your claim will continue until 31 August this year, I think. I expect they want the letter back in a month so your claim flows smoothly. If she has been offered a place and is likely to take it, I would probably say that, but remember to contact them immediately if she doesn't take it up. Otherwise I'd write a note in the journal or call them.

If the college course is tentatively accepted and it's a level 3 course (a level equivalent) then state she is attending college and change it if she doesn't start in September. If it's a level 4+ course eg higher diploma, degree then you need to state attending higher education

The letter is from the council asking what her next steps are which will determine council tax reduction or not

Thank you everyone very helpful!

I don’t need to message them on Saturday to tell them she’s turned 18 surely do I?

Also whilst I’m on here. Is she decides to work full time obviously I’ll let them know and I know payments will alter/stop for her. Will I need to declare what her wages are? Declare if she gives me any contribution money?

thanks again…

It would be level 4 course yes. Thanks I wasn’t aware that would be classed as higher education 👍🏻

As its level four she will just come off your claim as a child at the end of August. You then need to report a change as a non dependent but that won't affect your rent element ( if you claim it) until she is 21.

Oh ok. If it’s level 4 higher education then she would be classed as HE student and should be exempt from council tax. What about student finance? Will she be eligible for that? I presume so for tuition fees.

And as pp says uc/CB claim stops end of August.

I believe she gets another year free at college any enrolment fees I’ll just pay

Yeh I’ll be sure to let them know if she doesn’t go back to college thanks.
Do you know that if she works full time instead will her wages be taken into consideration on my claim? And if she contributes to the household?

If she's doing a foundation course and 18 when she starts it, then you will get CB for another year.
Might be that as you mentioned no course fees? Our youngest is starting an art foundation course at the college where he is currently sitting A levels, it's classed same as A levels for CB purposes.
But it's only free of course fees while they are under a certain age.

For funding purposes set foundation classed as non advanced. But if it’s an HNC then it’s level 4 for funding.
Check with the college.

I'm not sure tbh. My son went to uni and never came back! You could go onto one of the benefits calculators and put that information in and see what comes up?

Her wages are not relevant, your dd would only need to contribute towards rent ( if you claim it) which is £85 a month fixed once she is 21.