Hi guys

I cant say the reasons why on here but I have had to take in my nephew aged 16 as he is currently homless.  He starts college next week, and at present has no clothes, or money etc.  As I dont have any children myself I dont really have anything in the house ie computer, stationary etc and with currently being unempolyed im not sure what I need to do?  I know there are benifits out their for children but not sure if a) he is to old to receive anything for him and b) if I would be entitled to them?

Also does anyone know if there is any where out there I can seek help to try and get him a grant etc for clothes and his things for college?  I feel awful as I am currently scrapping by as it is?

Any help would be great?

If his college course is a full time one, he should be entitled to the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) http://ema.direct.gov.uk/

As a homeless young person, he may be eligible for financial assistance from Social Services too so do contact them....they're not just there to take kids into care and they do have a responsibility towards homeless youngsters.  They may also be able to assist with housing if necessary (in conjunction with the Local Authority) which should also have appropriate support in place.

This website for calculating benefit entitlement may also help: http://www.entitledto.co.uk 

 

ema as already said.

and teh college should help out with pens paper etc.

clothes... i dont know, there is always the charity shop, they may have some good stuff.

For very reasonably priced clothes "Primark" is a good option.
Local libraries can be a good free option for access to a computer. His college may well have some sort of IT centre or library also with access to computers. Some colleges issue students laptops for the duration of the course.
I would think his college would have guidance tutors whom your nephew could approach and they would be able to advise what support would be available to him and how he can claim it.
At 16 and in full-time education he should still qualify for child allowance which I presume would be payable to you as his guardian.

No new ideas but I just wanted to say well done on you for taking him in. Good luck and I hope you manage to get all the help you deserve.

Another thought - colleges sometimes have hardship funds that students in dire financial straits can apply for to help them. Again the college should be able to advise.

Your nephew may also be able to get a student discount card via the college which usually entitles them to things like cheaper bus travel,discount at various shops etc. Worth also finding out about.

I would also make sure he or you speak to the college connexions advisor they should be able to offer support and advice.  College should have a welfare department where all this type of things are available.
Good luck hope everything works out for him (and you)

If he is in full time education in the london area he is entitled to free bus travel with a student oyster. Again via student welfare.
I f his parents will confirm they cannot house him there may be money available to you in a similar way to foster care.I believe it is slightly different as he is now 16. 

Well done on offering your nephew a stable home.My daughters boyfriends mum has done a similar thing with her niece aged 15 and her brother has gone to live with his grand mother.Social services have been very helpful.A process which has taken about 3 months but from the start after some inital family interviews they 'pay' quite a bit for the maintenance each month(a few hundred pounds),they are paying for the conversion of their utility room into a bedroom -as they now have 4 children and only 3 bedrooms,a shed for storage.I believe this will continue until she reaches 18 and deemed an adult.She also receives the child benefit.your nephew will be entitled to the EMA  -£30 each week and the college will have a learner support fund with its own dedicated officer.You should also be entitled to Childrens tax credits - give them a ring.Good luck.

If he is in non advanced (not above A levels) education then he can be teated as your dependant for benefits.  You would be able to claim child benefit and if you receive benefits yourself they could be increased to add him in.

On the other hand he could claim in his own right as being estranged from his parents.

EMA as already mentioned, but it is based on his parents/guardians income in the previous tax year.

A trip to CAB would be a good idea, or Social Services.

i'd give citizens advise a call and ask them who to contact. i've always found them really helpfull and they will also ring people for you to save you the stress.

In addition to Primark which I mentioned earlier.George clothing at Asda is also pretty reasonable if you have an Asda nearby. Also check they do in fact stock mens clothes because our nearest one doesn't (it only stocks ladies clothes).

If you have a TK Maxx you can get could deals there too.

Sportsworld also sells clothing at reduced prices.

Stores such as Tesco sell stationary at fairly reasonable prices also. I would think it would be worthwhile trying to find out exactly what he needs for college before buying too much. He would probably want at least a pen,pencil,rubber,ruler and a pad of lined A4 paper to begin with.

Shops such as Poundland can be a good source of inexpensive items including stationary and toiletries. All depends where you live and what shops you have in your locality.

Definately go get some advice, the CAB are brilliant they really know their stuff.

He *isnt* technically homeless if he is living with you - unless you go with him to your local authorities housing department and state that you are not prepared to have him in your home... which since you are willing to house him I wouldnt recommend you did. (If you did then he would be high priority for immediate housing... however that would most likely be a hostel (best case scenario a specific young persons hostel with support workers who help kids out with work/college/lifeskills/moving into their own flat - worst case scenario... unsupported housing such as B+B's and bail hostels used by those just out of prison! - having been there myself if you can live with him, do try to do so!).

However, if hes in full time education and you are taking the legal role as his 'parent' or guardian then you will be due benefits towards his care - the CAB will advise you on what you are entitled to and what you need to do to get it. What I do know is.... act FAST these things take an age to get moving unfortunately and can only be backdated by a short while (max three months for some things, less than this for others).

You'll really need his parents to state that they are passing responsibility for him over to, that he is no longer living with them (especially if they are liable to try continue claiming whatever benefits one currently gets for having a child in full time education!!!).

Go and speak to his college and they will let you know of any grants/help available, especially wrt things like laptops/computers etc. However most colleges have very good computer and internet access, and if they dont, libraries do (even my tiny 1 room community centre based library provides five computers that can be booked in advance or used if they happen to be free at the time, the whole place is barely big enough for a set of shelves let alone a libraries worth of books!! :D)

Getting the details sorted out asap will take a lot of pressure off him - they can easily be changed back should he go back to his parents at any point (I have no idea if thats an option but dont let the possibility of it put you off or delay you in getting things in motion).

Colleges are not really geared up for kids who live independantly of their parents so this is not a route id recommend - its VERY hard negotiating the change in education style for a start without being totally adrift setting up your own home or surviving the unfortunate downsides of life in a hostel. The nail in the coffin for me wrt college was the constant going on and on about parental permission for this and that and having them sign things for various exam fees or grants etc, especially combined with other kids finding out I had my own place and thus was 'cool' and would undoubtedly allow them to hang out at mine and party all night long (nuh uh!!!!! but a LOT of people in their first 'own place' do get sucked in and it really is incredibly hard to discover your real friends from the users and hangers on at a time like this).

Yes! there is help, A child is entitled to money until the age of 19yrs old in education. You, may have to make the claim for him. If you do not want to speak to a social workers about getting an allowance ,plus money now, which the Social Worker could arrange. As even at 18yrs when he can claim his own benifit, they will not pay a benifit if he attends college full time. Mad! I know but! that's how it is, they only allow them to attend part time. You will only get ema if you take him on legally. Also if your income is low.
I would advise you speak to a Social Worker, do it all above board much safer.
If you don't want to go down the road above go CIB.

Denese

Did you get your nephew's finances sorted out? An update would be useful to help others in a similar position.