Partner a Student .. I work 32 Hours, anyone know what we may be entitled to benefit wise?

[Jo2909]

Hello

My partner currently works part time for the RAF Air Cadets as an office, most of the work is voluntary howver some is paid, he gets around £200 a month (he lost his job back in February and has been doing this since)

He is starting a course at the local college for a year in september, i work 32 hours a week and we pay around £100 for childcare a week.

Most of the benefits calculators do not include information for students so just wondered if anyone else has been in this situation that may be able to help with what we can claim?

Thanks

If you are paying for Child Care, check that your Child Tax Credits include the child care element. Also, if you're not already, claim for Working Tax Credits.

You can also claim for Council Tax Reduction (which replaced Council Tax Benefit this year) from your Local Authority (whichever council you get your Council Tax Bill from) which can reduce your Council Tax payments if you are entitled.

If you rent your house, rather than own it, you can claim for Housing Benefit (again from your Local Authority) to help with your rent. This also applies to the rent if you have a shared ownership.

Also, if your partner's course will be part time (under 16hrs pw) he may be able to get Jobseekers Allowance...it is unlikely he will get the "Income Based" element as this would take into account your earnings and the fact that you work over 24hrs per week but he may be entitled to the "Contributions Based" if he has paid enough National Insurance over the last couple of years.

There is some information about Student Finance/Benefits at:
www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/information-and-services/education-and-learning/higher-education/student-finance.htm

It depends how much you earn, whether you own your home or rent and what type of student your OH is.
If your OH is a higher education student then you can get student finance.
If your household nome is low then you shold be able to get child tax credits and council tax benefit and maybe working tax credits
If you rent your home and have a low come then you will get child tax credits, housing benefit and council tax benefit and maybe working tax credits.
You won't get help with childcare costs through tax credits as your OH is not working at least 16 hours per week in paid work.