Benefits reduction

[Bonsaitreepic]

I got my UC payment today. Just checked and it’s almost £300 less than usual. This is because my oldest is now classed as an adult as he’s left ft education. He’s not currently in work.
I have 3 other children but now I seemingly only get support for 2 of them due to the child cap.
Im freaking out. I only get maintenance for one of the children as I have the other 2 50/50 with their dad. I cannot afford to lose this much money every month. I was already struggling as it was. I’m unable to work just yet as one of the children has complex needs. I already get some DLA for them.
im quite sure there’s nothing I can do about this but I’m so worried

Is the father in the picture at all? Surely he didn't sire 4 offspring and then just vanish.

Only requirement to 18. He’s left school in June after A levels. He had a pt job in a restaurant for most of sixth form but hasn’t worked for last 3 months.

If your eldest son is not sure what he wants to do, it doesn’t stop him working until he does decide. He’s an adult now and needs to pay his way. My son, a graduate, worked in finance but was made redundant shortly before his eldest son was born, so he got a job on a labouring on a building site. The same thing happened just before his second son was born and he got a job as a cleaner while looking for more qualified work.

That cap should be updated and implemented to a cap that rules for have 2, perhaps even just 1 kid for now. And not permitted at all for those without resources till they have the necessary resources. Also, put for adoption those children that one way or another are suffering with their current family members or caregivers. Because is not fair to make everyone else, whether they have/wan’t or not to have kids, pay for others kids who are suffering their parents lacking in resources and so on. Is not work your eldest kid because is too much people and not enough housing, not enough healthcare, not enough food and so on. Way too much people for current resources. If this sounds extreme, think twice or even three times and ponder about hard. Not with drama or love, but with logic and common sense. Is a lot of people in need out there, and I am not trying to make you or anyone feel bad about it as hard as this might sound. Truth is that love is not enough. Without resources, nothing is enough.

Yep it's hard but it's not like you didn't know that once a child is 18 and has left education that benefits stop for them and if you didn't know you should have. We should all be more aware of our finances IMO.

Anyway you say that you haven't claimed carers allowance because it's pound for pound with UC. You are right they take the amount you get from carers off UC but carers allowance is a gateway benefit. Getting it allows you to get in line for other services and benefits such as not having a cap and respite care if needed etc

As for your eldest. If they have decided not to further their education then yes they need to get a job any job for now while they figure out what they want to do with their life. You need to let them know that you can't afford to supplement their life anymore. It's shit but it's reality.

this situation happens every year with parents suddenly having no idea their child is no longer entitled to CTC/UC and child benefit or child has left school and you need to tell relevant DWP department that said child IS continuing in full time education as they get thrown of the system 30th August but if told by parent they will then be put straight back on so no loss of benefit but you are advised what will happen months in advance

i was made aware months ago by CTC/CMS etc i really dont know how this comes as a surprise to people

to add

the trouble is if parent is on full benefits and rents and council tax and the child/adult is 18yrs they can lose a huge chunk of benefit b ut said parent should know this is happening and has plenty of time to par things back and do what needs doing but some just ignore and end up in a right mess

Wtf😂 if you’d read my first post properly, you can see that I’m clearly defending the OP. I’m 100% on her side, you’re clearly just mad!

Hi
Hope this helps. When my son lived with me and was unemployed for awhile, he was able to get a benefit which helped towards the rent. £250.

There is no point chastising the op. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but shows little purpose other than as a learning exercise. If you have any ideas as to how she might improve her situation, much appreciated.

Anywayss OP, it’s probably best to post on the UC FB page in future. Much more supportive comments then people hounding you for being on benefits in the first place

Hi OP,
If you're not getting any of the stuff below, and your child is getting the middle or higher rate care component of DLA for children, let me know.

£368.74 Standard allowance (25+, single)
£539.16 child element for two children (£584.58 if one of 'em was born before April 2017)
£146.31 disabled child addition if one of yours is getting middle/higher care component of DLA (£456.89 if higher rate care component)
£185.86 Carer element of UC if your kid is getting middle/higher care component of DLA
£??? Housing element

£55.80 a week child benefit for 3 kids (monthly equivalent £241.80)

The benefit cap should not affect you
Your council tax should be zero
If your housing element doesn't cover your full rent, apply to your council for Discretionary Housing Payments

Apologies if this has been answered already - I read the OPs posts but not all 35 pages 🤣

@PinkMoscatoLover and you are abusive. My posts have been nothing but empathic and trying to help. Yet another entitled millenial picking on a disabled person who tries to do the right thing - and what you do not know I have an adult son with SEN, so understand the OP. Please leave me out of this as I am trying to help and truly do not deserve your childlike attempts at sarcasm.

Seriously you shouldn’t have so many children if you can’t afford them. Why is it the governments problem?!

Yes he’s claiming £250 as he’s unemployed but Op is letting him keep £200 of it.

I dont mean to be rude, and I do understand your situation because I am also struggling to pay bills, but a lot of FT workers who dont claim benefits have also lost similar amounts of money, due to the current cost of livng, and nobody cares a damn about them.

A good friend of mine who works FT as a nurse, last winter couldnt afford to turn her heating on or pay her council tax. She is currently facing court action. She is dreading this winter. She has 2 young kids. Yet your complaining that your benefits, a luxury you get from tax payers, from, workers who are also struggling to pay their bills, has been cut. You probally earn more money than a lot of people do working FT. Me personally would love to have £50 spare a month to have as "pocket money". Im lucky if I break evan.

As people above have suggested, your son needs to get a job. My 18 year old son is currently in a FT university course and working 30 hours a week in a pub. He understands life is expensive, and to fund it he needs to earn his keep. My 16 year old daughter also has a PT job to fit around her schooling, as does most of her friends. You could also get a PT job. You state you share your children 50/50 with your ex. The 50% of time you dont have them, you could work. Yes its hard, yes you dont have any time to yourself, but how do you think other parents manage ?. Children copy their parents, if they see you not working and getting paid the privilage of doing so, they will as well. Set them an example

In a few years time, all your children will be grown up. Your benefits will stop. Your children will more than likely move out. You will be left alone with no job, no benefits and an empty house, what will you do then ?

Maybe she could afford them until her relationship broke down and one of her children was disabled. Shit happens.

Than, not "then".

£250 is a lie

Single claimant aged under 25: £292.11 per month.

Surely you realised that now he is claiming that, you wouldn't get it?

So he pays it to you. End of.

Gets on my nerves ignorant idiots like you spouting off. Reported.

Er - what? You know some children with complex needs can't go to school full-time, nor are there willing relatives to help or wraparound care options, right?

I’m not sure if you struggle with comprehension skills so I’ll spell it out for you. My original comment said, ‘Surprise surprise this thread is nearly a 1K
comments already. Look at all these people
frothing at the mouth whenever they see
anything benefits related. Yawn.’

What I meant by that, is ‘wow look at all the people who love to benefit bash and frother at the mouth whenever there’s a thread about benefits.’ Now if you’re not one of the people who are on here to benefit bash then you would simply scroll past my comment as it doesn’t apply to you.

For some strange reason, you’ve not only taken offence at a comment that wasn’t directed to you but you’ve insulted me by calling me childish/childlike, abusive and you’ve referred to me as an entitled millennial (????) who is picking on a disabled person?! 1) I’m not entitled nor am I a millennial. 2) I’m not picking on anyone, you’ve literally took offence at a comment that wasn’t even for you and 3) who knew you were disabled because I didn’t. That really has nothing to do with it.

It’s quite clear that I’m in defence of the OP and I’m focused on the people that benefit bash and love to tear down those on benefits. I have one child who is 17 months old and severely disabled and a 2 year with Autism. Again, I have no clue why you’ve randomly made yourself a victim here but this will be my last comment to you.
Have a great night

But what is being said is the truth

Great to see that post was deleted so quickly. Disgusting response