Benefits when kids in further education

[Hueandcry]

Please help me as I'm clueless. Single Mum, 2ds aged 16 & 19, Work 24 hours pw, low income. Ds2 left school this year & I've suddenly found myself not entitled to child benefit & tax credit & council tax benefit meaning a deficit of around £600 pm. Really struggling. Knew this would happen when ds turned 18 but expected to still be entitled while he was still in education (college). Anyone else in a similar situation?

If he is in college you will still be entitled to cab and ctc but you need to ring and tell them.

Can't you work more hours in your current job or take on a second job to increase your income?

Is your son taking a further education level course (i.e. a level, btec advanced/intermediate) or a higher education level (i.e. HNC/HND or Foundation degree)?

If he's doing a HE level course then the benefits change that are applicable as he's eligible to apply for student loan. He can still get CT exemption if he's ft but will need to get a letter confirming this from the college to provide the council (unless the college has a different arrangement with your council for confirmation of students)

You need to up your hours to increase your income. TBH, I'd have done that much sooner if I was you! Then you wouldn't have had to rely on benefits to top up your income.
I do think that if your child is at a FE college you can still get some benefits. My DD still got child benefit til she finished her A levels. I had to notify them though as it did stop initially.

You should get help while in ft education ( more than 14 hours?) But not uni up to 19 years old

Something else that you should probably consider is that, as well as you working more hours, your DSs should look for part time work so they can fund their own expenditure at the very least, instead of you having to cover everything.

College course is an HND. Ds1 is at Uni. They both have p/t jobs. I guess my point is that my income/circumstances haven't changed & my costs remain the same. Planning to go ft in my current job next year but no more hours available til then. Having been made redundant twice I actually like this job so reluctant to look for another. Have secured another p/t job for next 2 months but they're messing me about. What a mess!

How is a 16 year old doing a HND are you sure that’s right?

16 year old shouldn't be doing a HND? Level 6 or HNC at a push but definitely not HND.

Yes I'm sure. We're in Scotland if that makes a difference?

If your DS is on an HND course (or HNC) that is counted as Higher Education and not further Education. So that's why you've lost your tax credits as he is eligible to apply for a student loan. As for the Council tax. He will be a full-time student and not liable for council tax. so you will still be eligible for the single person's discount. Since your DS is only 16 it does seem a bit unfair to withdraw benefits but I'm pretty sure that's the rules. But do check it out.

@soontobe60 clearly you have never had to 'rely on benefits' to top up your income. Lucky you! Hopefully you also don't have a child with Autism, elderly parents who need a lot of care (now parent as 1 recently died) or 2 redundancies within 4 years. Thanks to others for their helpful suggestions

wait, your 19yo at uni should be getting money for themselves?

Straight from nat5 to HND?

Sorry somethings not right there

If ds2 is still in fte you are entitled to Child Benefit but you may need to confirm this to hmrc. They usually send a letter asking you to do so when child is approaching 16.

If they both have jobs and are entitled to student loans then charge them some board?

Where did I say ds went straight from Nat 5 to HND? As I said we're in Scotland. Ds2 is 16 & sat his Highers this year then left school to go to College to do a HND

But you don't do highers at 16?

You also don't go straight to HND without doing HNC.

You do Highers in 5th Year. He started school at 4 & has just finished 5th Year aged 16. How is this helping? I know my situation & my facts are correct

@davisday will you stop questioning me. It's not helping. My ds is 16 & at College doing a HND. FACT

Sorry my mistake. I just assumed at 16 he left S4.

Still, you don't go straight into an HND course.

Oh and I did try to help, I suggested they both pay their way as they are both earning and entitled to loans.

Bloody hell.

Well I must be lying because he is doing a HND but thanks anyway for your input

I never said you were lying. I said something isn't right. That could be a problem with college or anything.

What I suspect is the is doing HNC and planning to remain for HND next year.

If he is truly doing an HND after leaving school at 16 with highers he is at a serious disadvantage.