Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Money matters

Find financial and money-saving discussions including debt and pension chat on our Money forum. If you're looking for ways to make your money to go further, sign up to our Moneysaver emails here.

Flip

Original poster

When my youngest turns 18...

25 replies

SlightlyWizened · 27/08/2019 17:57

I'm worrying about what my situation will be when in five years time my youngest child turns 18.
I'm a single parent and rent privately-a two bed house. I work full time and my wage brings in slightly less than my monthly rent. I get child and work tax credits and child benefit. I am just about to become eligible to apply for housing benefit as my savings have dwindled to under the limit.
I anticipate that my youngest child will go to university, the middle one may or may not be there and the eldest will have completed her course by then and her plan is to be living away from home.

What has anyone who has been in this situation done? Did you have to downsize to afford the rent and if so where did your children go?
Or will other benefits kick in?
I really can't see how renting this house will be affordable once my children are over 18.

OP posts:

Babyroobs · 27/08/2019 21:29

If the children still live at home then they would be expected to contribute to the rent if working. if your rent is very high then you would still be likely to get some top up benefits.

Original poster

SlightlyWizened · 27/08/2019 21:54

If your children study? If they go to university away from home?
It's weird to think I might need to live in a one bed and them not have anywhere to come home to in the holidays.

OP posts:

Rockchick1984 · 27/08/2019 23:19

Could you move to a 2 bed in a cheaper area rather than downsizing?

MyDcAreMarvel · 27/08/2019 23:20

I would think carefully about giving up tax credits for universal credit housing element.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 28/08/2019 09:24

If you want to keep the house so they can return, I’d take a second job.

Other wise look for one you can afford or accept that you may need to downsize and if they want to stay they won’t their own rooms.

Original poster

SlightlyWizened · 28/08/2019 16:45

@MyDcAreMarvel why?

OP posts:

haveuheard · 28/08/2019 18:05

You would have to apply for UC if you wanted help with housing costs, so you should get a comparison done to see whether you would be better off or if you are better off on current benefits. Citizens Advice or similar charities will do this for you.

Original poster

SlightlyWizened · 28/08/2019 18:08

I went on entitledto and would get the same.
Is there another reason to worry about UC though?

OP posts:

MyDcAreMarvel · 28/08/2019 19:53

Yes it’s unlikeky to be the same the calculators are only a guide and often over estimate.
The five week wait for money.
The conditionality.
The fact that if you wage varies you never really know how much you will be paid.
If you are paid twice in an assessment period due to bank holiday, Christmas etc you will lose a significant amount of UC.
The savings limit and the way income such as inheritance it treated.
Won’t apply to you but childcare needs to be paid in advance and invoices can be refused.

Tumbleweed101 · 02/09/2019 09:46

I’m anticipating this problem too. I’m a single parent of four. Two children have grown up so I no longer get tax credits for them even though I still need to subsidise my 19 yo as her car insurance etc is still so high (needs a car because of our location). I’ve got tax credits for two children and I’m about breaking even each month.

Once I lose tax credits for the younger children my wages alone won’t cover the household expenses. So I’m currently trying to do extra training to allow me to apply for higher and better paid positions. There won’t be any point in moving as I have a council house which is cheaper than a smaller private rent house and is at least a secure tenancy. I’ve also got a bit of wriggle room to increase my hours as I’m currently on a term time contract. I’m hoping the changes I can make will at least allow me to claw enough to get by each month. Unfortunately living expenses seem to be at a level where you need two wages or to be earning at least £15 hour.

user87382294757 · 02/09/2019 10:29

Isn't it all UC from 2023 anyway? I mean this is when it is planned for everyone to be moved from TC to UC

user87382294757 · 02/09/2019 10:32

What I mean is you mention 5 years time but it is all changing in 4 years time to UC as well

Perunatop · 02/09/2019 10:33

Could you look for a better paying job over the next few years, or try and get a promotion in your current place of work?

Bouledeneige · 02/09/2019 10:39

Will there be any savings in your outgoings though OP if more of your kids are away for 40 weeks a year? Can your DC who are working full time or in their vacations contribute to the household?

Original poster

SlightlyWizened · 02/09/2019 19:19

My wage does not even pay my current rent so any savings I will make through my children being away from home won't mean a thing.
I'm of an age that training will not get me anywhere and my job doesn't have much opportunity to move up.
I suppose many single parents find themselves in this position if they are relying on tax credits and child benefit to keep them afloat. I think the hard truth is that once they stop I must change where I live, live within my earned income (plus possibly UC to top up rent) and my children find their own places to live.
@Tumbleweed101 presumably if you are in a council house you could transfer to a smaller cheaper place?

OP posts:

BitchyArriver · 03/09/2019 15:11

Are you in London? Not being nosey, it just seems shocking that a full time wage doesn’t even cover rent!

BEDinhalfanhour · 03/09/2019 15:14

Your landlord could give you 8 weeks notice to leave at anytime before then though, are there cheaper properties about?

BarrenFieldofFucks · 03/09/2019 15:15

Whereabouts are you and what do you do? I'm amazed at a full time (40hr per week?) job not earning enough to rent a 2 bed. Let alone any of the other costs of living.

user87382294757 · 03/09/2019 16:39

I don;t understand why the young adults could not contribute and help with the rent etc after uni etc of course. Or get part time jobs to help while studying. My own parents were in that situation and I and my brother had to do this to help out. They would need to pay rent for a room somewhere anyway.

What8Surpr1se8 · 04/09/2019 05:27

If they are adults & not students, you won't get the single person council tax discount. If they are living with you they should contribute

Toomboom · 04/09/2019 06:01

I am in this position now. My 18yr old finished college this year. All tax credits/ child benefit have now stopped. I too am a single parent.
I work full time in a very physical , minimum wage job, rarely any overtime going. Due to hours I work it is impossible to get a second job.

I no longer qualify even for working tax credits [ apparently £14000 is considered a high wage ] I can just about manage rent and bills, but food is going to be very difficult.
My child now has a job and will be contributing, there is no choice if we want to keep a roof over our heads.

I am over 60, so it is very difficult for me to find another full time job. I never expected to be in this position at my age and the future is very worrying.

user87382294757 · 04/09/2019 16:53

My mum is in this position and gets on OK as she is a bit older and gets pension credit...and in sheltered accommodation for over 55s...so much cheaper. But yes can see it must be harder in your 60s, wonder if Uc any better perhaps

PollyPelargonium52 · 05/09/2019 07:48

Perhaps try to get a cheaper place to live that is 'elderly designated' i.e. 55 plus.

The children may have to move out though so may not be viable.

Original poster

SlightlyWizened · 08/09/2019 18:43

Sorry I didn't mean to abandon the thread I haven't been around my laptop plus I just find this a conundrum and haven't come to any conclusions beyond the fact that in 3-5 years I will probably need to look at finding a one bed and either squeezing 16 and 18 year olds in or expecting the 18 year old to move out or share with sister and I'll still be on the sofa bed. I wonder how landlords/letting agents will react to that.
I do have a low waged job and live in the south east. I'm 55 now so its not getting me anywhere with housing.

OP posts:

PollyPelargonium52 · 10/09/2019 07:49

I appreciate the scarcity of housing stock in the south-east but are there any elderly housing associations that can put you on a waiting list even if it is a good few years at least an end is in sight. Are there any womens projects with also housing lists?

Is there a local Shelter housing aid, if they still do those, sorry bit out of date/touch these days. A housing advice centre (not council) who may have lists of schemes.

You may find you can go on a couple of lists somehow.

Flip