to be scared when kids leave full-time education

[spanieleyes22]

So I'm currently eligible for Universal Credit with 2 children over 16 but in full-time education. But when the youngest turns 20 I believe I won't be eligible for it any more. I don't know how I'm going to pay my rent or survive without it. They will still be living with me and will be in university (hopefully). What do people do when this happens.

Are you working? is there anything preventing from earning a living?

Can you up your hours at work? It ends when they’re finished education as the assumption is there’s nothing to stop you working FT by then.

I also thought it ended at a set point after they were 19, but that might not be the case.

Get a job. Charge them rent.

I do work full time have done so for many years. I might get a small increment but nothing major in salary increase. They will be full time students doe a few more years.

They need to work part time and pay you rent. They should be working already.

Ok. My parents never charged me for living at home when I was studying. I guess I will have to though. I don't want to pressure them for money when they are at uni. They will already be paying for their uni accommodation

I think you either downsize to something you can afford and they make their own way or they contribute to the HH expenses

They do work but they are paying for uni accommodation. Thats for 24 weeks a year. The other weeks they live at home

I'm scared of the future. I'm only 10
Years from retirement. How will I afford my rent then

Cn you get a lodger and dc share when they come back from uni?
Same boat op.
It is terrifying..

Well, as someone in a similar position, I've been expecting it for years since I divorced (although eldest has thrown me a curve ball by joining the Army at 16 not 18.) I did a Masters degree and busted a gut at work making up my own projects and doing them well, so when I applied for another job with more hours in the same team last month, I was interviewed and walked straight into it.

Admittedly inheriting a house recently has taken some pressure off, but it's not like it's a surprise and I made sure I could put myself in a position to cope. What's your long term plan career wise?

How much are you subsidizing your children while at university?

How much will you lose OP?

You just said they'd be living at home.....

Sorry no sympathy from me . Inherited a house? You have zero to complain about imo

Ok so away at uni, back in holidays. Presumably then it's the housing element you're worried about losing? You need to make an appt at CAB, I have a feeling they may continue to let you have the higher bedroom rate while they're uni students, after that you'd of course only get the one bed rate but if they come back after uni they'd be paying you rent.

Glossed over the bit about all the hard work, huh?

Can you take on a weekend job? Or do something cash in hand? I don’t care if it’s frowned upon, people that work full-time shouldn’t be scared about losing the roof over their head because of greedy landlords.

You may be entitled to Housing Benefit when you turn pension age.

@saltinesandcoffeecups I'm not speaking for the OP but not everyone is capable of doing a masters

@spanieleyes22 presumably, to inherit a house someone close to the poster has died. Maybe show some empathy.

I don't need sympathy thanks, and I'm not complaining. I was merely pointing out that I'd done another degree and worked really hard to get more hours so I could afford the drop and tbh I don't understand women who don't do similar. It would however have been disingenuous not to mention the house as I've posted on here about it before and I knew someone would pull me up. Anyway, my guidance would be put yourself in a position to earn more. It's not exactly rocket science. Good luck, although with that snippy attitude of yours you'll certainly need it!

And not everyone has to do a masters to improve their situation

Can you start planning now to downsize when you retire? Or could you take in a lodger then?

For right now, I think you need an honest conversation with your children about the household budget. When they are at home, they need to contribute to food and bills, at the very least. They are old enough to understand that you have to be careful with money and they can’t expect you to provide everything.

unfortunately there is not enough emphasis on the fact that once children are grown up a lot of benefits will stop. The government should be advising people on how to increase their own income so that once benefits decrease that are in an ok position.

How do you think people not claiming benefits cope? They earn the money. I'm not saying things are easy especially at the moment with the COL but benefits should only be seen as a temporary crutch to help people get back on their feet rather than a lifestyle choice.

You could:
Train now to get a better paid job
Take on an evening/weekend job
Kids get holiday jobs and pay you keep
Take in a lodger
Downside to a smaller house

@TeenLifeMum then presumably that poster knew there was an inheritance/safety net on the horizon. Not minimising all the study they did but knowing you're going to inherit a house down the line does not put that poster on an equal footing with the OP