OK, and PANIC !!!

[Tillyboo]

Hi, I'm no sure this is the right section but here goes ..

My sis is a lone parent, divorced, with 2 teenage daughters, 18 and almost 16. The 18 yo is hopefully going off to Uni which will be financed by her father.
The 16 yo won a place at a local Uni for dance, drama & theatre but has refused to do an audition (twice) and hence has obviously lost the opportunity.

All child maintenance & benefits are stopping in the summer when the girls leave school so my sis is at a loss as to what to do as she'll have to survive & pay a mortgage on a very low full time salary. Her only option is for the girls to live with their dad who lives about 60 miles away with is fiance. He doesn't want them with him as he's getting remarried next year and the youngest daughter is quite a handful. It'll break her heart but she can't think of a way out of it.

What does she do ? What have others done in her situation. Any advice would be very welcome. Thanks

Well your sis should still get working tax credits if she gets a low income.

The eldest is off to uni so unless she's living at home, she's not a big issue.

The youngest....well if she's not studying anymore then she should be finding a job and paying her way.

Other than that, her main option is to downsize her house to something more affordable, assuming thats possible. Or of course find a better paid job given she's no longer responsible for the kids.

seems a bit drastic!

presumably daughter can claim benefits in her own right if she not working/studying?

also she could rent out the older daughters room while she away - to a student stydying in the home town

www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/young_people_and_benefits.htm

many thanks !

No that is not her only option. And if he doesn't even want them there it isn't an option at all.

Is her ex completely funding the oldests uni educaation? By that I mean her rent, living expenses, travel everything...?
If so then that is covered. Presumably she will visit you and her dad in teh holidays so ca split this time a bit perhaps. dd1 also has the option of a holiday job or weekend job to top up her money.

dd2 needs to know that life isn't a free ride and if she chooses not to do further education then she needs to be bringing in a wage. Until she gets a job or decides what she is doing will ex not continue to help support her?

Has your sis considered taking a second job? Either in the evenings or at the weekend? It may not be ideal but it is an option.
What about looking for an alternative job that is better paid?
I know several mum's who work evenings/nights at supermarkets because it pays quite well.
Now her dc are older she could also do babysitting in the evening or cleaning jobs at the weekend for example.

It's not easy, but there are other options here.

And yes being on a low income she will probably still be entitled to WTC and she should check out about housing benefit and council tax benefit.