Change in age

A child's age may affect:

• the family tax credit payable
• the Best Start tax credit payable
• the partner's obligations and
• whether the child is still a dependent child

Unless a partner qualifies for an exemption from their obligations, they are required to:

• prepare for work (if required) when the youngest dependent child is under 3 years old
• meet the part-time work obligations when the youngest dependent child turns 3
• meet the full-time work obligations when the youngest dependent child is turns 14

A child is not a dependent child if they are:

• in full-time employment

Note generally a child is still a dependent child when they start part-time employment.

• getting a basic Student Allowance or an Independent Circumstances Allowance

Note getting a Student Loan does not always mean a child is financially independent.

• getting a benefit in their own right or
• financially independent