Information wanted- losing child tax credits

A question about : Information wanted- losing child tax credits

Hello, just wanted some information for a friend of mine.
She is a single parent on a low income of approx Ј16,000.
She has a son at University who is currently 19, she has been told that even though he is in full time education her child tax credit would be cut when he turns 19. The tax credit was about Ј2,500 - Ј3,000 a year, so such a substantial cut would make a difference.

Is there anything she can do as she doesn't think she will be able to cope with such a cut, are there any other forms of help?

Thanks

She currently works full time and was thinking that perhaps cutting down the hours could entitle her to other types of help.

Best answers:

• Your friend should have lost her child tax credits already if her son is at Uni.
  Who can get Child Tax Credit
  You can get Child Tax Credit if you are 16 or over and you are responsible for at least one child. This means a child under 16, or a young person up to the age of 20 who is in full-time education up to A level or equivalent, or on certain approved training courses. You may also get Child Tax Credit for a young person who has been accepted on one of these courses. You can also get Child Tax Credit for a young person aged under 18 who has registered with the Careers Service, if they have left school within the last 20 weeks.
  If she has internet access suggest she go to www.turn2us.org.uk and do a benefit calculation.
• In terms of benefits, she is now treated as a single person. Cutting her hours will definitely not get her more benefits!
• Your friend could do well to post an soa on the debt free thread so she could get support in managing. She could also put her info into the benefits calculator on this site. I hope OT all sorts well