17 year old not going back to school. Loss of tax credit help!

[avroroad]

Please go gentle on me, up until 3 years ago DH and I both worked full time. Him for over 30 years, me for just under. Now we have found ourselves sin a bit of a shitty position.

The upshot is that DS, 17, may not be returning to school but won't be going to Uni until 2021. So this means a loss of CB and my tax credits will drop - I will just have one child on my claim. I get carers allowance (for DH) and up until Covid-19 I was self employed. That income has gone for the foreseeable, mainly due to the industry which isn't going to pick up anytime soon. We are managing but I am really worried about what happens when I lose the money for DS (end of August iirc) There is nothing for him. He isn't ready to get a job, even if there were jobs available, due to being autistic. So does that leave us as we are or is there anything I could do that might make things a bit easier? UC maybe? I have been reluctant to do anything that would trigger a switch to UC because all the calculators told me (haven't looked recently - I'm baffled won't it all now) that tax credits are a better option.

This isn't a simple case of 'get a job' for me. I have a job. I have my business waiting for me when trade picks up again (realistically looking at months though) and I have heavily invested etc. My job suits my circumstances ordinarily. What I do meantime, if anything, I have no idea though.

@DianaT1969

I have never heard of those, thank you will definitely investigate.

Open University already being pushed

PIP?
Yeah right. New criteria include purpose compared to the old DLA.
Can you make a meal, can you walk 50 metres?
Zero points on two sections then!

But 2 points if you need reminding to make a meal.
And 4 points if you have anxiety about going out or have a meltdown.
Both of which could easily apply for an autistic person.

I remember 17 being a bit of a loop hole. Ok this was some years ago as I am now in my 40,s and I am in England.) Hope you find some advice. Perhaps the autistic society might be able to give some advice?

You're a saint to keep going on this thread OP

If he, or you, don’t want him to work and there is no medical reason why he can’t, then you will have to pay his way, not the taxpayer.

I know it was ages ago but I just want to come back to this.

I wasn't asking for 'the taxpayer' to support my D.C. I was asking whether tax credits or universal credit will be better for ME, because whether you like it or not I am entitled to claim so I do. Which benefit is best to claim was my question. I will support him from that. I'm not asking to claim anything extra for him because he isn't going back. Just whatever is best for me with my one remaining child on the claim.

3 years ago DH was fucking robbed of his mobility and his job. He was refused PIP (he gets it now) and didn't get ESA. I had to quit my full time hours and work part time (I was always self employed) because he can no longer drive to do school runs etc. He can't make a meal and he can't manage alone for very long without needing someone to help. 2 of our kids are autistic and our life is bloody hard. I don't need you peering down your nose at me because you are 'the tax payer' and you don't think I am worthy of benefits. I would give my right arm for us both to be working full time like we were just 3 years ago. Our lives have changed beyond all recognition and just when we were feeling slightly adjusted along comes Coronavirus to stick the boot in. I don't need you doing it as well.

Sorry if I offended you by describing him as very immature. I assumed that’s what you meant when you kept saying he’s ‘not ready’ to get a job. Most 17 year olds are ready to get a job, so I assumed not being ready meant he wasn’t mature enough.

I second a PP who said you've been very patient! There's a lot of vitriol around at the moment.

Sorry if I offended you by describing him as very immature. I assumed that’s what you meant when you kept saying he’s ‘not ready’ to get a job. Most 17 year olds are ready to get a job, so I assumed not being ready meant he wasn’t mature enough.

Not offended just fed up with people not understanding that maturity isn't necessarily the reason for someone not being ready to get a job. Yes he is less mature than an average 17 year old, but it's his autism that dictates him not being ready to get a job, the social and emotional aspects. These are not things that change with maturity, they are factors that autistic people live with forever and have to learn to cope in various situations. A job wasn't on the agenda at this point but things have changed dramatically in the past few weeks so we have found ourselves in the unknown, which for an autistic teenager is not a good place. That and the obvious economic situation dictate that now is not the time for a job. Literally tens of thousands of people across the U.K. have lost their jobs, yet everyone seems to think my Da is somewhat special enough to walk into something suitable tomorrow morning.

@TabbyStar

Thanks - I didn't think it would be quite so hard when I posted

What you have said that your son has difficulties doing school at home, is anxious about Covid 19 tie in with his diagnosis, does he have any other problems? Things like organisation, managing money, looking after himself, if he had to could you trust him to cook meals, choose appropriate clothes, keep himself clean & tidy, stay safe, manage medication, can he go out on his own, travel on public transport? It isn't always the obvious things that can qualify for PIP. Get your son to at least sign up to connexions, it gives you both 20 weeks to decide if he is going back to school or choose some other course or apprenticeship.

What you have said that your son has difficulties doing school at home, is anxious about Covid 19 tie in with his diagnosis, does he have any other problems? Things like organisation, managing money, looking after himself, if he had to could you trust him to cook meals, choose appropriate clothes, keep himself clean & tidy, stay safe, manage medication, can he go out on his own, travel on public transport? It isn't always the obvious things that can qualify for PIP.

One last time, just one..

He. Does. Not. Meet. The. Criteria.

Please, no more.

Get your son to at least sign up to connexions, it gives you both 20 weeks
to decide if he is going back to school or choose some other course or apprenticeship

I will be looking into whether this might work, thank you.

I think you should encourage him to get a job even if it's only a few hours a week and to cover his own expenses.

I think you should encourage him to get a job even if it's only a few hours a week and to cover his own expenses.

I think you should read the full thread, trust me to know my own son and post something helpful, not something that has been repeated several times over despite me saying it is not an option right now. What was the point in you posting? To wind me up?

Of course it wasn't. You asked for suggestions and didn't like them. I apologise for not reading the whole thread.

Of course it wasn't.

I'm sorry, I don't suppose it was. Just feeling drained with repetition.

You asked for suggestions and didn't like them.

I asked about tax credits and universal credit. I stated getting a job was not an option in the OP.

I apologise for not reading the whole thread.

Fair enough. It usually helps though.

I have now read most of the thread. You have had it very tough this last few years. I hope things work out this year and your son goes on to do well at uni.

Good God Op, you really need to sort your shit attitude out. You're coming across like a petulant teenager.

People don't really give a shot if Doris from Margate is going to lose money but they took a few minutes out of their day to try and help a person who they had empathy with.

Instead of snarling at people who are genuinely trying to be kind and help either tell your son to get a job or get a job yourself on top of your self employed work which much bring in sod all as you're still entitled to claim carers allowance instead of relying on the money you get for your son. Those are the only two options open to you since you've batted every other suggestion away.

What about pip? How do you know he doesn't meet the criteria if you haven't even tried? Unless you work for benefits system. Which I'm assuming not as you wouldn't be asking on here..

Good God Op, you really need to sort your shit attitude out. You're coming across like a petulant teenager.

Thanks. Give someone a right old kick when they are down. I hope you got something out of that.

What about pip? How do you know he doesn't meet the criteria if you haven't even tried?

Really? Again?

Unless you work for benefits system. Which I'm assuming not as you wouldn't be asking on here..

Well no, I don't work for the benefits system. I do however have extensive knowledge of my son. He does not meet the criteria for claiming PIP.

I don't know why so many people are finding that difficult.

Op, I mean this gently, is he scared of Covid so does not wish to go back to school until he feels it’s safe? And he will return when he does? Is this the fundamental issue that’s arisen? So it’s why he can’t work too? Because he’s scared he will catch it?

And that’s why he won’t qualify, because if it wasn’t for this, he would be at school or get a job, but they won’t give him benefits because he basically won’t work or go to school because he is scared of Covid, and past that is capable?

If this is the issue, then potentially there are other ways to help him contextualise the risk.

Is your husband shielded or vulnerable? Are you? Would you both be ok or happy for him to go to school or work? Or would you prefer him not to?

Avro.

You've been doing a fair bit of that on this thread, believe it or not a lot of people are 'down' at the moment. Yet they still tried to help.

A lot of people are facing financial crisis, I'm one of them. We are screwed, totally with nothing to fall back on yet I still took the time out of my day to try and help someone. I got a shitty response for not also taking the time to read every damn comment on the thread.

You asked for help, you could have ignored the comments you didn't agree with or that were repeated or of no use. You didn't, instead you spent your time writing twatty responses back. Absolutely no need for it.

So those are your options. And for what it's worth as you're already getting a fuckton in top ups your income will probably be a damn sight higher than mine in the coming months.

Instead of snarling at people who are genuinely trying to be kind and help either tell your son to get a job or get a job yourself on top of your self employed work which much bring in sod all as you're still entitled to claim carers allowance instead of relying on the money you get for your son.

Wow. What a nasty piece of absolute work you are. You are right that my self employed work brings in sod all. I mean I earn over £100 a week but in comparison with my income before DH's accident and subsequent disability it's an absolute pittance. I'm not claiming carers allowance through choice. I'm claiming it because I have zero fucking choice. I HAVE to work part time hours because I HAVE to be at home to look after my children AND my husband.
For weeks now I have earned fuck all due to Coronavirus and it looks like the industry will be screwed over for a few months yet. I don't need to 'get a job', I have a job. I would LOVE to be able to go back full time hours but my life has changed so that I can't do that. Thanks for the idea though. It didn't cross my mind

Those are the only two options open to you since you've batted every other suggestion away.

I literally asked if I should try and remain on tax credits or move to UC. I didn't to be told repeatedly that my son will get PIP or that he should get a job. Those suggestions have nothing to do with whether I get TC or UC.

In that case you'd probably be better off putting your details into the entitled to website or making a phonecall to your local CAB, Instead of picking arguments with people trying to help you on a parenting website. Then playing the victim when you get called out on it.

*Op, I mean this gently, is he scared of Covid so does not wish to go back to school until he feels it’s safe? And he will return when he does? Is this the fundamental issue that’s arisen? So it’s why he can’t work too? Because he’s scared he will catch it?
**
*It's a consideration, not the main issue, no.

And that’s why he won’t qualify, because if it wasn’t for this, he would be at school or get a job, but they won’t give him benefits because he basically won’t work or go to school because he is scared of Covid, and past that is capable?

Not really no. It's not really about Coronavirus, that's a factor but I have explained the main issue is that the school year has already started now.

*If this is the issue, then potentially there are other ways to help him contextualise the risk.
*I'm hoping they get back in August and we can do just that so he at leat gives it a go.

Is your husband shielded or vulnerable? Are you? Would you both be ok or happy for him to go to school or work? Or would you prefer him not to?

I have said I am hoping he will go back. I definitely want him to go back. He has been robbed of the chance of sitting his Highers, I would love him to get to do his advanced.