Financially "challenged" - benefit advice please!

[SPL]

Sorry, I'm a bit "dumb" where finances are concerned - could someone please say whether the current tax credit received for daughter will cease if she starts university in September? I am 54 year old widow (just one child), earn £20,000 pa and eligible for £400 benefit each month. This amount makes a huge difference and I'll struggle with uni fees and mortgage etc if no longer eligible when she is 18. Thanks in advance.

I'm afraid I don't know the rules for tax credit, but your daugher should qualify for student loan to cover her uni fees and maintenance, and probably a maintenance grant as well - see the education & learning section on direct.gov.uk

The 'money taxes & benefits' section on the direct.gov site also list tax credit entitlement rules - unfortunately it looks like the child element of the tax credit stops when they go to uni.

£400 a month tax credits for one child with a salary of £20k seems very high.

Tax credits are not payable at uni level.

Thanks to Seimum and HMOO for responding - I have checked the Direct Gov site and found several links for more information etc, so hopefully that will give some further insight.

Embarrassed to admit that I'm not 100% sure how the benefit is made up - the last letter was so confusing - I think there may be an element of something like "widow's allowance" and some for a child at school etc.

I'm just trying to plan ahead because if the benefit ceases or is substantially reduced if daughter gets to university, then I will really struggle with mortgage / utilities / running 9 year old car / household repairs like leaking gutter and this worries me a lot.

I know there are others in more dire circumstances and certainly don't expect "the government" to pay for my lifestyle, just trying to think ahead and ways to keep afloat! It's scary to think I may only have 10 years until OAP state pension (when widowed started small pension scheme as no provision from husband) yet have young person to support and try to give the best start in life I can. Hope this makes sense.

SPL you only get CTC and child benefit while a child is in full time education.But this does not include studying at a higher level at uni.
Your DD would most likely be able to claim a bursary and/or loans.If she were to do an NHS course she may well get her fees paid and be able to claim a bursary of around 130 per week.Which doesn't have to be paid back.HTH