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Original poster

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

266 replies

avroroad · 06/05/2020 14:37

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.

OP posts:
joydivisionovengloves1 · 06/05/2020 22:56

If you're self employed you'll be entitled to the grant that's coming up soon?

Bluntness100 · 06/05/2020 22:58

I think people need to accept the son not working or going to school is a choice they are making. For reasons undisclosed, other than a brief allude to Covid. Past that he could work or attend school.

It’s unknown if this is actually a choice the son is making, or if the op is, or if it’s because his father is vulnerable.

Either way it’s clear I think this is a choice the op and her family are making so things like pip don’t apply,

Original poster
avroroad · 06/05/2020 22:58

If you're self employed you'll be entitled to the grant that's coming up soon?

Yes I should be.

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 06/05/2020 22:58

Ok op, cross posted.

Original poster
avroroad · 06/05/2020 22:59

Sorry posted too soon re the self employed grant. That's great and will be a help but in terms of this thread it's not really relevant as I'm talking about September onwards really.

OP posts:
Mammaaof · 06/05/2020 23:00

Well if according to you he's so bad he cant get a job then struggling to understand why your so against pip without even trying.. just odd

Soontobe60 · 06/05/2020 23:02

If you are certain he isn’t ready to work, won’t go back to college and won’t qualify for benefits in his own right then I’m afraid it’s up to you to support him.
He’s either fit for work if not. You seem to be saying you don’t think he is but benefits assessors won’t agree so you’re not going to bother trying. That’s your choice, but you can’t expect to receive benefits yourself because if this.

Original poster
avroroad · 06/05/2020 23:04

I* think people need to accept the son not working or going to school is a choice they are making. For reasons undisclosed, other than a brief allude to Covid. Past that he could work or attend school.
*
I have explained in the thread the reason that the school year started last week. It might seem like nothing to some but for him being in school and actively learning is important.
*
*It’s unknown if this is actually a choice the son is making, or if the op is, or if it’s because his father is vulnerable.

It's up to him whether he goes back or not. DH is vulnerable but that isn't a factor. DS1 is working and has been throughout, I wouldn't prevent DS from going to school.

Either way it’s clear I think this is a choice the op and her family are making so things like pip don’t apply,

It is a choice DS is making, yes. He isn't entitled to PIP but also isn't ready to get a job. I have gone over the situation re jobs and the current situation and long term planning being thrown up in the air. It's unsettled a lot of people and DS is one of them. I'm happy to support him staying at home, I would prefer he goes back to school, but this was never about benefits for him it was about whether I need to look into changing benefits for me.

OP posts:
Original poster
avroroad · 06/05/2020 23:05

If you are certain he isn’t ready to work, won’t go back to college and won’t qualify for benefits in his own right then I’m afraid it’s up to you to support him.

Yes. I know. I have never said otherwise. I just wanted to know which was best for me to claim.

OP posts:
joydivisionovengloves1 · 06/05/2020 23:06

It's easy to say he should just get a job. My children are slightly older and don't have autism but if any of them did, I would absolutely know what was best for them and if they could cope with a job or not. Sorry I'm no help OP but I hope thinks get sorted for you x

Original poster
avroroad · 06/05/2020 23:07

Well if according to you he's so bad he cant get a job then struggling to understand why your so against pip without even trying.. just odd

What do you mean 'so bad' Hmm

I never said he was 'bad'? Bad at what?

I said he isn't ready for a job just now.

OP posts:
Original poster
avroroad · 06/05/2020 23:11

whatwouldtoudo

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.

That's not helpful. Don't pretend you were trying to be anything other than downright nasty and judgemental with that comment . You bang on about people taking time out of their day. Well if that's your time you can keep it. I don't need that kind of sneering. I'm trying to do the very best I can for my whole family here and I'm having on by a piece of string. You look like the fucking scissors.

OP posts:
Original poster
avroroad · 06/05/2020 23:13

@joydivisionovengloves1

Thank you. You just know your kids, don't you?

OP posts:
Graphista · 06/05/2020 23:13

*Why wouldn't he qualify for PIP?

He doesn't meet the criteria.*

According to whom?

No harm in applying, they won’t award it him if he isn’t eligible.

But I would strongly advise you don’t attempt to complete any claim yourself.

Benefits are a minefield, especially disability based and especially certain “invisible” conditions.

I always use my local welfare rights office (part of the council). They really know their stuff.

“Not being able to work dire to emotional, social and economic factors isn't a criteria for claiming PIP.” The 2 former reasons can be depending on the effect they have on him on a daily basis and how that impacts his ability to work.

It’s not a question of not knowing your own child, but more knowing how the benefits system currently works - it changes constantly which is why I use people who’s job it is to keep up with the regulations and who know the local assessors

You are being very blinkered wrt his possibly claiming benefits. You are not an expert on them from what you’ve posted so what harm can it do to contact people who ARE experts and discuss it with them?

I was dreading the move from DLA to pip as my main health issue is mental illness which is notoriously hard to claim for, but with help and guidance from the right people I completed my claim and was awarded enhanced rate for both elements. I’m in Scotland too.

Original poster
avroroad · 06/05/2020 23:18

He’s either fit for work if not.

It's not really that simple. Not being fit for work as deemed by the DWP and being able to walk into a job are not the same thing. There is a world of variables in between.

You seem to be saying you don’t think he is but benefits assessors won’t agree so you’re not going to bother trying.

I'm not saying he isn't for for work. I'm saying he isn't ready for a job just now. Not the same thing. Not going over the PIP thing again.

That’s your choice, but you can’t expect to receive benefits yourself because if this.

I'm not. I literally posted because I know I won't get benefits for him. Did you not read the OP? It was about which benefit is better for me when I stop getting benefits for him, right not I get TC, by September I may be better on UC.

OP posts:
Original poster
avroroad · 06/05/2020 23:19

You are being very blinkered wrt his possibly claiming benefits. You are not an expert on them from what you’ve posted so what harm can it do to contact people who ARE experts and discuss it with them?

Not blinkered at all. We have been there and done that several times over. He does not meet the criteria. Yawn.

OP posts:
WhatWouldYouDoWhatWouldJesusDo · 06/05/2020 23:20

Op, you need to contact fightback and have them complete you sons pip claim........they've helped so many people in that situation. It can also lead onto extra help at uni too so it's worth doing*

This was my first post to you.

I suggested this because 'fightback' have helped many people claim benefits after they've been repeatedly refused in the past.

This was your response.

Op, you need to contact fightback and have them complete you sons pip claim........

I really don't. He does not meet the criteria.

One of dozens of petulant responses off you towards people who were genuinely trying to help. And there was no need for any of it.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 06/05/2020 23:23

I think maybe if you explain how he doesn't fit the criteria, then people would stop discussing PIP.

Original poster
avroroad · 06/05/2020 23:25

@WhatWouldYouDoWhatWouldJesusDo

The reason for that?

I was already sick of being told he needs to claim PIP. I was already sick of telling people he does not meet the criteria. I was already sick of being told he should get a job. I was already sick of people ignoring the question and jumping in to tell me what my son should be doing. I'm still sick of it now. Your nasty comment that I should get a job hit a raw nerve. If you wanted to pretend you were offering help you dropped your mask at that point. It was a bitchy judgemental dig.

OP posts:
Original poster
avroroad · 06/05/2020 23:26

think maybe if you explain how he doesn't fit the criteria, then people would stop discussing PIP.

Like I'm on trial or something?

No. Maybe people could just actually believe when I say he won't get PIP and move on!

OP posts:
PickAChew · 06/05/2020 23:31

Pip is nothing to do with being able to work. It's awarded from age 16. It's based on support needed.

TheProf · 06/05/2020 23:33

Hi OP

You've maybe done this but skills dev Scotland may be able to help you. I've got young people in similar situations in my job and they have entered an activity agreement. This may be regional but it's a scheme that helps young people prepare for their next stage, whether that be college, employment or uni.

It's still classed as full time education so all benefits including ema are paid.

Not sure if that helps at all....

Original poster
avroroad · 06/05/2020 23:35

Thanks. It has come up in the thread so I have it noted. It sounds like it could be an option. I haven't really had a chance to look into it yet.

OP posts:
Mumoftwoyoungkids · 06/05/2020 23:59

Slightly off the wall suggestion but could he take over as your husband’s carer and free you up to work more hours?

BillHadersNewWife · 07/05/2020 02:20

Can I suggest he registers on People Per Hour and Fiverr for data entry? It can be tricky at first but once he gets going he'll earn something.