DS 20 not coping with work - get him to claim UC?

UC don't let you sit there on benefits, they'll be trying to get him into work.

A 20 year old claiming UC currently with the LCWRA element in place meaning no work commitments due to health would be looking at around £739 UC per month with PIP on top ( possibly £300-£400 every four weeks ). I personally think this is a lot for a young person living at home and will hardly incentivize anyone to begin looking for work when they are well enough.
The UC amount would be less for anyone going through the LCWRA process after April 2026 as that element is halving for new claimants. I suspect with the number of young people claiming and the fact that over 2/3 of people going through the work capability process are awarded LCWRA rather than the lesser paid LCW, this is why they are reducing/ halving that element. It's completely unaffordable with the sheer numbers that are claiming.

Why do you say this? This is what I was given because I own my home. Actually, £3 less.

I know you’re supportive of the son in this situation (as am I, as posted earlier) but this is the reality of UC.

Those people are either not living off £400, because it’s a top up, or they’re likely getting their housing costs subsidised.

I have absolutely no issue with a 20 year old who has tried his best to work, and cannot cope, having £400 of tax payers money to use as disposable income. He deserves a life too.

There are many more able to work who choose not to, and claim - he sounds far more worthy, if it was even up to us to decide who should have money they’re entitled to.

Thats daft. If he is entitled to claim the benefits then he can. It has nothing to do with whether he needs the money.

@dswork you both sound like awesome people.

I second the pp saying he should get signed off for now. Burnout is no joke. And then when he is feeling more himself again, and his eating and sleeping are a bit better, maybe have a think about what he might do to occupy himself. It is good to keep working at expanding your window of tolerance, if he could get support to live on perhaps he can find an occupation that suits his skills, talents, and interests better without the pressure of an actual job.

Yes he should take a break but, given that he lives at home and already receives PIP he shouldn’t claim any more benefits. There are single people living on universal credit who have to feed, clothe themselves and pay their bills out of that £400 a month. While I have every sympathy with him I think claiming benefits he doesn’t need is a pisstake.

What would you prefer he did, continued descending into misery?

I know all about the fight and the frustration and I still disagree with signing on for more benefits.

Maybe you could support him financially whilst he waits to find out? It sounds like he needs to quit his job or get a doc appointment.

We’re adults for a long time, earning money, paying bills. If your son needs a break right now, he should take it.

What job does he do now?

I agree could he try something outdoors - maybe using experience. So if he’s worked in retail. Try part time in a garden centre or something? Something less hectic and maybe a tad quieter. Retail can be full of horrible customers but some places like that can be less demanding.

Or shelf stacking. Some supermarkets have these roles and no customers etc involved

It sounds like majority of it is anxiety related - would he be open to trialling prescribed medication for his anxiety? (I am also autistic using this type of medication)

Is he on ADHD medication? And has he had any other kind of therapy to help with his SEN?

If the GP is saying he's in neurodivergent burnout he definitely needs a break for now, but it would be good to have a plan going forward.

This country is screwed.

Ironic seeing as you brought the tantrum and stupid to the party. Once an Arse, I guess...

😂😂😂

Stupid😂😂

Why not stamp your little foot too?

The OP clearly isn't considering this.

Just a heads up - this is AIBU, if it is too triggering for you, you know where the door is. Can't help you with the stupid though, good luck with that.

He should qualify for LCWRA, so he won’t have a job seeking requirement - ideally.

Gosh, why didn’t all the parents struggling with their children in ND burnout think of this? We must be stupid.

Thank you so much for pointing it out. We never thought of it🙄

Wouldn't he be expected to work some hours though? 16 or so?

Uc would likely double the amount he currently gets on PIP. I can see why people go down this route.

Could he cope with WFH OP? and maybe volunteering a few hours a week so that he gets out of the house.

He's probably internalised the common attitude that if you're not working full time then you're some kind of scrounger and not a proper member of society (hellooooo PPs! 👋).
Believe you me, I know this one well. Being bright (I don't know if your DS is OP, but obviously lots of autistic people are) yet unable to achieve even a basic level of adulting success can leave you weighed down with guilt and a sense of inadequacy. I am constantly, constantly beating myself up at being unable to work full time as an autistic, perimenopausal single mum.

He has to unlearn all his expectations of what he should be doing to be a good little worker drone, and look at how he finds fulfilment and productivity through other routes.

Is he bright? What is he into? Does he have a classic circadian rhythm that works well with a 9-5 ?