child doing apprenticeship

Thanks.
I'm not in receipt of any benefits, the only thing I received was money from her dad (+the usual 'family allowance' which has obviously stopped.....or shouldn't it have??)
Her dad hasn't paid a single penny towards her upkeep since Sept '09, just wondering if this is right??

Child Benefit is the same thing as family allowance. If it's stopped then you won't be entitled to child support.

However, over 18s who are in education may make an application for maintenance from separated parents in their own right and would be entitled to legal aid. The court then considers the needs of the "child," any income they may have and the resources of the parents to access their ability to pay. The court can only back date any payments to the time of the application.

Thanks.
Should the child benefit have stopped?
I think it should but was never really clear as apprenticeships seem to be a bit of a grey area.
She earns so little but has no help + has also paid a huge amount for prescriptions in the last year too

As I said earlier whether CB ends depends upon whether the course is an "approved" programme led apprenticeship or a course provided by an employer as part of a job contract.

My maintenance continued even though I lost tax credits, as stated above, I think that is because I'm still receiving child benefit so if you are receiving cb then yes, I would challenge it.

I believe after your daughter turns 19 she should receive the proper minimum wage of £4.92 per hour for the rest of her second year so this should be a help.

Fiona ... do you know whether apprentices are entitled to free prescriptions and eye tests while they are only on £95 a week? I cant find an answer to this anywhere.

The course is a college course, with placement 4days a week + college 1 day, not provided by an employer as part of a job contract.
I'm sorry, I'm so confused by it all.

It does sound like an 'approved' course but, like you, I am quite confused by it all so I would check with the college. If this is the case and you are not receiving child benefit, I would get this reinstated asap and your maintenance should also be continued once this happens.

I wish my daughter hadnt chosen this route as it has caused quite a few problems. There should also be more information about the loss of benefits and tax credits so parents can be prepared and also make appropriate choices.