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Original poster

Money worries!

21 replies

Elizabethg1 · 25/09/2018 16:14

I'm seeking advice from anyone currently in a similar situation or been through a similar situation.
My 17 year old son is in his 2nd year of college and I'd thought he'd be going onto university this time next year. However he is considering taking a year out as he wants to travel. This has left me with a lot of questions about my finances.
I currently receive working tax credits and I believe that once my son leaves any higher education these will stop. I work 30 hours a week and my earnings cover my housing association rent and other utilities but food and petrol (sadly have to travel approx. 34 miles per day to work) are mainly covered by tax credits.
my questions are,
1,does anyone know if I can get any financial assistance, I have gone on the gov website calculator and its not looking good!?
2, is it wrong of me to (if I cannot get financial support) ask my son to contribute to the household bills, even if he was to go off travelling?
3, if he were to decide to go to university after taking a year out, would I be able to apply anywhere for financial support?
4, if the were to decide to go to university without taking a year out, would I still receive any financial support?
5, is there anyone that I can talk to about these issues, or is it all wait and see????
really would appreciate any advice on any of these questions, or as I said in the beginning, is anyone going through or been through a similar experience?
Really look forward to hopefully hearing from someone :)

OP posts:

Overgrownyard · 25/09/2018 16:18

I am unsure about your options for financial assistance but you simply cannot ask your son for contributions if he's not even living there. What was your plan after he left higher education in general?

YeTalkShiteHen · 25/09/2018 16:20

Make an appointment with your local CAB, they’ll be able to help you work out what you need and what (if anything) you’re entitled to.

I don’t think you can ask him to contribute if he’s not there, that wouldn’t be fair.

DurhamDurham · 25/09/2018 16:24

Once your son had left higher education he'll be classed as an adult and if he lives at home would have to contribute to all household expense. However as he's going travelling I'm not sure where that leaves you, I doubt you'll be entitled to any financial help via the benefits system as that would be like subsidising yours household while your son went travelling for a year.

If your son is going to work while travelling he may be able to contribute, look at it as a retainer for his room so that you don't need to rent it out.

Good luck, it's an awful feeling when your finances change drastically

SoyDora · 25/09/2018 16:26

You need to speak to CAB I think. You absolutely can’t ask your son to contribute if he’s not living there. I imagine he wouldn’t be able to afford travelling anyway if he was paying expenses for a house he wasn’t living in.
Could you get a lodger in his room while he’s away?
Can you increase your hours at work?

SoyDora · 25/09/2018 16:26

What was your long term plan for after he’d left education?

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 25/09/2018 17:52

Can only repeat what others have said in that I don't think you should ask your son to contribute if he's not living there and again, what were your plans for when your ds reached 18?

swingofthings · 25/09/2018 18:02

Whether he works, travels the world, go to uni or does nothing at all, you won't be entitled to child tax credits for him any longer. You might still be entitled to working tax credits if your income is really low.

Whether he contributes to help with your bills is between him and you but indeed however reasonable it would be if he lives with you I can't see how it would be if he isn't.

If you are working 30 hours does it mean you are only doing 4 days? If so could you ask to increase to 5?

OhTheRoses · 25/09/2018 18:10

You only work 30 hours pw and it isn't enough to cover your outgoings without tax credits. You have been very lucky to get ANY tax credits.

There is a very simple answer. You increase your hours by getting a second job if possible. You have no entitlement to bed funded by others.

Sorry10 · 25/09/2018 18:12

Yes as all said when they go into higher education not entitled to anything that includes child benefit and tax credit. Sorry about that surprised you've not had a letter to explain I got a letter when my dd left school and I had to fill a form in when she went to college as still in education but from 18 that's it. Your dc can get student loans but with travelling not sure. How would he fund this trip ?
Answer to your question no you can't ask him to contribute to bills if not living there . Can you talk to citizens advice for financial advice ?

Pebblesandfriends · 25/09/2018 18:14

Does uni count as higher education? Will he even be living at home when he goes? I think you need to plan on the basis that you are not entitled to tax credits and either increase your hours or get a new ( full time) job.

IhatetheArchers · 25/09/2018 18:17

I think you may be confusing higher education (e.g. university) with further education (college). You cannot claim tax credits for a child at university.

KanielOutis · 25/09/2018 18:31

Can you increase your working hours, change jobs or move closer to your job? It's hard when income stops, and it takes adjustment. Did you make plans for this? Whether now, or in a few years, the tax credits were always going to stop.

Xenia · 25/09/2018 18:49

Why can't you just work a lot more hours like the rest of us who are currently funding you through our taxes so that you only work 30 hours a week? Surely that's the answer to all this.

YeTalkShiteHen · 25/09/2018 18:55

Xenia do you feel better after that nasty little comment? I hope not. Snide and unnecessary.

Secretmystery · 25/09/2018 20:15

If you have a low income you may be able to get housing benefit. You should go to citizens' advice bureau. They will know whether there would be any help available.

Monday55 · 25/09/2018 20:35

I don't think you can get any benefits for a child who's at University.

Could you try to apply for jobs that are closer to home or look for part time work that cover maybe 10 to 12hrs to boost your take home pay?

Is it possible to get a lodger for the empty bedroom? or downgrade your house as your son won't be there anymore ?

Notreallyhappy · 25/09/2018 21:45

Do they still pay single WTC...check the gov.uk webpage

Viviennemary · 26/09/2018 17:45

Benefits are much less generous in households who have no dependent children. I don't think a lot of people realise this until they are in your situation. You certainly can't ask your son to contribute to bills if he is not even living with you. So you will have to either earn more money or cut your living expenses. I don't know what your take home pay is but unless it's very low I doubt you will be entitled to much in the way of HB or tax credits. Depends on what your wage is and how much your rent costs.

rainbowunicorn · 26/09/2018 18:01

instead of working part time you should either work full time in one job or try and get another for 10 - 15 hours a week to cover your outgoings.

HollyBollyBooBoo · 26/09/2018 18:05

How would your son contribute if he's travelling? Where would the money come from?

Won't you just have to work more hours or cut back expenses? I don't understand how you thought this would work once he finished college?

Vanillamanilla1 · 26/09/2018 18:10

I'm about to apply for ANOTHER job .. if I get it I'll have 3 jobs
.. some people just have to work more or get multiple jobs to live ...and no you can't charge him living expenses when he's not living with you ... You knew he was turning 18 you should have made provisions sooner

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