17 yr old, child tax credits stopped, is there anything else?

[Aquarian3]

Hi,

I'm only really asking this question as I know some rules have changed recently and I don't know what's what now, but my son tried 6th form last September aged 16 and I informed CHild tax creds that he was staying on in 6th form, then he refused to go back to school after the October half term as he hated it (I think he had just had enough of school based learning as he has been in formal eduction since 2 and half, which I totally get as I started full time work aged 16). He was adamant he didn't want to try colleges he just wanted to work, I told him the law had changed and he couldn't just get a normal job and from what I was told, he had to do something with formal qualifications at the end like nvq's etc, so an apprenticeship seemed the only course he could take.

So I took him along to Connexions who contacted a lady who knew about local apprenticeships, there was one around the corner from us and being rural that was handy, I was told that the apprenticeship classed as 'training' and was ok with the new Law change.

He started the apprenticeship in the November time and was getting paid the minimum wage for apprentices - £110 a week. Over the past 8 months my son had taken sick days, some he was ill but others he was too tired to get up (his dad/my husband used to be my carer, but he walked out on us for a girl half his age who he now lives with and they have a baby together, this meant that whilst doing his gcse's and then apprenticeship my son was also doing loads in the house as I'm limited with housework and we have two massive dogs who I can't walk).

Because my son had taken 12 days off sick in 8 months they fired him after one verbal warning (after the warning he didn't take any more sick days), my son burst into tears when he walked thru the door - VERY unusual for him to show emotion as he has slight aspergers - he felt humiliated and upset as he had been doing the same amount of work as properly paid colleagues, yet being an apprentice he was getting a fraction of the normal minimum wage.

I wanted to take his sacking further as I was hopping mad, but he wouldn't let me as he said he wouldn't want to work for them again anyway. I asked him if he had signed a contract but he had no recollection of doing so.

We recently applied for him to get Carers allowance but they are waiting for his p45 or p60 which I have to post to them, I'm not sure if Carers will affect my E.S.A (I work 3 hours a week) or my DLA, as the website said Carers can affect some benefits?

Anyway, I was renewing my Child Tax Creds over the phone and told the lady about my son getting fired from his apprenticeship, she said I hadn't told them he had left sch, I explained I had asked Connexions do I need to tell anyone he was starting an apprenticeship but they said no, it's still classed as education as it was work based training.

The CTC lady 'obviously' informed me this was completely wrong and I shouldn't have been getting CTC since November, and as he's now not doing anything I lose the award altogether.

I get housing benefit and CT benefit, but will I lose those if I tell them my son isn't in work, education or training? Do I need to inform them we've applied for Carers or don't they care what he's doing and they're just interested in my wages (a massive £88 a month).

Apart from losing the CTC, I'm guessing I also need to inform child benefit and I'll lose that money too? Is that right?

It's just such a minefield, it was only the CTC lady asking me to look at his p60 and read out the info did she tell me it meant he HAD signed a contract with the company he worked for, which shows he was in employment, so in their eyes no CTC. I assumed that my son signed up with this company Connexions contacted and that's who he signed a contract with, because he even had to meet the lady after getting fired to sign some documents.

As a youth worker I'm well aware how young people are away with the fairies, you ask them to fill out a membership form and it'll come back half filled, that can go on for months, so a 16 yr old fresh out of the sch system after 14 yrs, not paying attention to what he was signing it doesn't surprise me he didn't know he signed a contract with the company he worked for and not the lady Connexions contacted.

I'm petrified now I'll have to phone child benefit and get into massive trouble with them, I'm scared I'll lose my housing benefit and council tax benefit, I'm worried I'll have thousands of pounds to pay back and all because I was told I didn't need to call anyone. If the government departments shared a database they would know when children left school, or started work because it would be tied into their NI number, that way parents would get informed that various departments knew changes were afoot and they wouldn't get into trouble for not telling the right person, I feel so stupid and to top it all off I've lost my blue badge so I'm now housebound, but that's another story!

I'm sure there will be people here that like to flame people like me for being so stupid, if you feel the urge to tell me 'you should have know better' then thank you, I know that now, but I'm in a heck of a lot of pain, I have the prospect of being in debt till I die and I don't need to get verbally punched in the gut, I know I've royally mucked up but it wasn't intentional and I think that's important to keep in mind.

I'm a disabled, single parent who doesn't read up on benefit law in my free time, I'm on 190mg morphine daily for my pain, I work as much as physically able, I love my son and I don't need knocking down any further :(

To reiterate I'm on DLA higher rate for both, E.S.A for working 3 hrs a week and wages that total £88 a month, I get housing and council tax benefit - I pay a small amount to both each year, I also pay a small amount of rent, I'm still getting child benefit and I can't get Working Tax Cred as I don't work enough hours and that is it.

My son is not bringing any money in and is awaiting the outcome of Carers allowance once I post his p60. As my son isn't working and I know he can't sign on, if an apprenticeship or college placement didn't work out for any 16/17 yr old and in the eyes of child tax creds, after the age of 17 parents are not legally responsible for their children, are they supposed to live on fresh air in the meantime?

I don't even know if I can book our eye tests, I get the tax exemption card but my son isn't getting anything, would he have to pay for any prescriptions or frames?? Will I lose my tax exemption card? I just don't know and we both badly need eye tests!

Thanks in advance :)

If Carer's Allowance is awarded he can claim Income Support to top up his income - it will be reduced because of the CA but a premium will be added. He will have to pass the means test, so savings in his name will affect what he can get. If he gets the Income Support, he'll be able to get housing benefit, council tax benefit and free prescriptions as well. Best to contact CAB or other welfare rights specialist to deal with the overpayments. All the entitlements are complex to work out and you need a specialist to do the calculations - don't just rely on the tax credits office to get it right.

If you don't get tax credits any more, you can't use the tax credits exemption card but you could be eligible for free prescriptions through another route. Is your ESA income related or contribution? If income based then you'd get free prescriptions. Again, speak to CAB. And ask them about your blue badge - it shouldn't be withdrawn if it leaves you housebound. You can still get one even if you're on DLA LRM.

Also, as a carer he would be entitled to a carer's assessment from social services, they may be able to arrange some extra care for you to allow him respite from his caring duties, and sometimes offer grants for things like courses or leisure activities.

Hi OP - sorry to hear your story, sounds like you've had a rough time of things lately! I can't add anything to fresh's advice as it's not my field, but hopefully you now have some ideas how to move forwards. What I would say (from an HR background) is that your lovely caring son probably needs to try and get back into the workplace sooner rather than later, to avoid getting either sucked into the benefits trap or losing all confidence?
It's easy to say with hindsight, but calling in sick when he was tired from caring isn't really appropriate, and 12 days off in 8 months would get him fired from any job (though it sounds as though they dealt with badly if not unlawfully)! Additional caring support for you would obviously be ideal if he does find another job, but he will be expected to turn up, or else perhaps look for a part time or flexible role that he can openly fit round his caring responsibilities? I'm sure you want him to have a life outside the home, and as much independence as he can, so I would recommend exploring if there's any more support available for him? For example, do you have an independent living centre near you?
Best of luck to you both - I really hope you sort everything out soon

Hi op, sorry to hear you're having a tough time:(
Have you looked into the possibility of direct payments through your local council?.
This would be where your son would be paid as a job to be your "official carer" and would receive a wage for doing so.
There is obviously entitlement criteria but it's worth looking into.
I did this a few years ago for an elderly relative and it worked well for us at the time.
If you're receiving disability benefits already I would imagine that There's a good chance you could be entitled.
Good luck.

you wont lose your housing benefit or council tax, you will get your CB stopped, don't worry about owing them money, they will take back £5 a week if that's all you can afford (I have experience of this when my son stopped going to college without telling me I owe CTC about £2K and even though i am working now they only take back £10 a week as i'm on minimum wage)

Thank you SO MUCH to you all for replying, my son does want to get a part time job and yes, I desperately want him to get into the workplace and not be stuck at home, it's neither good for him socially or mentally!

I'm pleased to hear I shouldn't lose the housing benefit as I can't work anymore than I can, although it guess that might change if my son starts earning as they will prob expect him to pay some rent won't they?

Anyway, I shall follow the advice given and cross fingers all will be well, thank you all again :)

As your son has left school he will now be classed as a non dependant resident for housing benefits so a percentage of his wages/ benefits will be considered as household income. Your local council will be able to clarify this for you

As your son is your carer, are you in contact with a young carers group/project?

I don't have first hand experience of a young carers project, but I know of others who have been and their young person has found them supportive, I know this doesn't solve your benefits worries, but they may be able to give you advice on entitlements and support for your son.

If you google your area and 'young carers project' you may find a local group, failing that, look on the website I have linked and they can try to put you in contact with a local group.

www.youngcarers.net/who_can_help_me/86/92

Hope you get things sorted soon, chin up

If he is under eighteen and your claiming hb and council tax b then he wont be legally liable to pay anything so no reducation in payments to you for him on it. The when he is old enough it will not be a lot due to his earnings if in employment. You can not get a blue badge for LRM on DLA. Also until he is eighteen (if nxt year) then he will have to be employment with education or the LEA are notified and place him under the new RPA law. Any apprecticeship with a wage doesn't qualify to claim child tax and child benefit. Only training without a wage,full time sixth form or collage (more than one day a wk) Tell child tax in writing how much weekly you can afford they will accept it. My ct and cb has automatically stopped end of August. When your son is 18 he can then claim income support and also carers or carers and earn up to 100 take home pw. Not sure regarding the prescription part if not claiming income support but you may be able too just check online or with a benefit advisor. Hope things improve for you.

I have successfully helped a friend on LRM get a blue badge so it is possible. Your LA would ask you to attend a mobility assessment. Also her dd was awarded Carer's Allowance and Income Support once she was 16 so no need to wait until your ds is 18.

Why have you lost you blue badge? You don't even need to be claiming dla/pip to have one?