Child benefit and home education 16+

[Sheila Struthers]

Current link for this:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/cbtmanual/

[Ali Admin]

Schoolhouse has again yet again raised the issue of ongoing incompetence re continuing child benefit in a news release posted on the forums today.

Child benefit office should “fix its broken record”, says Schoolhouse

[Ryan]

Hi Guys, looking for a little bit of guidance here. I have just called Child Benefit in regards to a letter they sent out asking if Tammy was going to be further educated. I asked to speak with the FTES but he said he would take the details.

I am not sure how this has went to be honest. He kept asking what her qualification would be, I said there is no "Official" written marking for the work we are doing, its a progression towards her career with various non-advanced program and book study.

He said he was going to pass it to head office, they would call if they need any further information and it could take 6 weeks for a decision. With him asking about qualification it has me worried a little. He did ask how long the course would be (after saying it was a mixture of stuff but he ho) and how many hours. I told him 25 hours a week out-with breaks. I also said that I am reviewing yearly.

Granted, he also said that since she was educated at home previously, that it should carry on as normal but still had to pass it to head office.

Do you think it will be fine? Should I have said anything differently and what further action would you suggest now or is it wait and see?

Either way, will keep folks updated for anyone approaching similar circumstances.

PS Does everyone know that there are possibilities for Educational Maintenance Payments (EMA) for our 16 year old if our household income is lower! It was the Local Educational Authority that wrote to me about it. I've to submit the plan for the year and they will forward over the details for Tammy. I found this site http://www.emascotland.com/index.cfm for Scotland not sure about England/Wales/Ireland's equivalent et al though.

[Ali Admin]

You normally just fill in a renewal form confirming your child is continuing in full time home education and send it back clearly marked FAO FTES.

Dealing with the call centre is usually a waste of time as they don't depart from the script about recognised courses and qualifications, but it sounds like they may finally have begun to acknowledge that home ed young people are indeed entitled to continuing child benefit.

Regarding the EMA, I'm afraid it's only available to home educated young people in Scotland and not for those in England or Wales.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by Ali Admin

You normally just fill in a renewal form confirming your child is continuing in full time home education and send it back clearly marked FAO FTES.

Dealing with the call centre is usually a waste of time as they don't depart from the script about recognised courses and qualifications, but it sounds like they may finally have begun to acknowledge that home ed young people are indeed entitled to continuing child benefit.

Regarding the EMA, I'm afraid it's only available to home educated young people in Scotland and not for those in England or Wales.

Yeah, I'm in Scotland in regards to the EMA, was more curious if it could help other sin England and the other home countries. that is a real shame that it is not.

Is the renewal form this one they have sent out which prompted me to call them Ali? Letter one side asking if she is staying on and information boxes on the back to fill in? Do you think I should still fill it in and send it or should I now wait that they are apparently processing it after the call.

Thank you for the information!!!!

[Ali Admin]

Probably best to fill in the form and send marked FAO FTES to doubly confirm your child is continuing in full time non advanced education. Just in case the wires get crossed.

The EMA eligibility in Scotland is down to one Schoolhouse member's dogged determination to get it written into the home ed guidance! Sadly home educators in England and Wales didn't have similar success.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by Ali Admin

Probably best to fill in the form and send marked FAO FTES to doubly confirm your child is continuing in full time non advanced education. Just in case the wires get crossed.

The EMA eligibility in Scotland is down to one Schoolhouse member's dogged determination to get it written into the home ed guidance! Sadly home educators in England and Wales didn't have similar success.

Will do and excellent work with the EMA!!

[suzywoozy]

Does anyone know if you get asked about education every year post 16 - My dd is 17 now and we got CB with no problem last year (after sending a very carefully worded letter directly to the ftes section). I said she would be in f/t education until the latest date available - will i get a new form to fill in every year or is that it now?

[Ali Admin]

Some people get forms to fill in annually and others don't. I suppose it might depend on what you stated on the original form.

It's often best to respond to their questions using the langusge of education rather than schooling.

It sounds like you made it clear that DD would be continuing in full time non advanced home education unless you reported a change of circumstances.