advice on child benefit & tax credits stopping

[mildwin]

my child is currently 17, at college & leaves full time education next year. I am in receipt of tax credits & housing benefit as I am on a low income. I have been informed that when they leave college all my support stops. Any advice much appreciated. Does the support stop whether they do an apprenticeship, work or go to uni (if they go to uni they plan to stay at home). Its all a tad daunting! Thanks

[bednobs]

sounds right to me - if they have left college they can work and contribute to the household i guess. Not sure about HB though, i would have though if you are on a low income that would continue. if they go to uni they wont be entitled to benefits and you wont be entitled to benefits for them. On the brightside, most uni courses are only about 12 hrs a week, so plenty of time for them to work

[mildwin]

yeah, obviously if they work they can contribute to the household, but if they go to uni I wasn't sure if there was any financial support available. Thanks

[chelle7272]

Yes the tax credits will will stop once they leave full time education. HB should be a seperate matter depending on your income.

[daffy654]

Are you seriously expecting the tax payer to pay your child's way through University?

He or she will have to get themself a part time job and pay their own way. They may also be entitled to some grants and loans.

[mildwin]

err no!!! I am not expecting anyone to support them through Uni, they will work part-time if they do attend uni & I am aware of student loans etc, & I am having to change my job/career to support them. I was only enquiring as to whether everything stops once they leave full-time education!!

[bednobs]

i guess what daffy is saying is that by the time they are uni age, they are grown people - no longer your "child" therefore child related benefits stop. it would be the same if for example, you, wanted to go to uni - no tax credits or benefits available

[mildwin]

Thanks for your response. I appreciate that they will be classed as an adult & that I will lose all child related benefits. And that whether they work full time or go to uni & work part time they will contribute to the household, albeit not enough to make up the difference. I suppose the main part of my original question was does it make a difference whether a young adult in that situation goes to uni, works full-time, or is on apprenticeship, or does the tax credits, etc, cease regardless of what they are doing?