What benefit do I apply for, for DS?

[NineteenForever]

Just looking for some direction, please.

DS us 19, has autism and will never live independently or work. He lives with us, his parents. DH is his carer and gets carer' s allowance.
He's in a local college, supported on a course , but is likely to leave this summer.

I get enhanced tax credit because he's in receipt of PIP. When his education ends I will no longer get tax credit, so what do I apply for on his behalf, can anyone advise or suggest ? Mention online of Universal credit, and of ESA - the latter does not seem to apply as has never paid NI. TIA.

Here are some useful links to the autism society website.

www.autism.org.uk/about/benefits-care/benefits/adults.aspx

www.autism.org.uk/services/helplines/transition-support.aspx

His college may be able to help signpost you towards local services.

I would have said ESA. My ds has never worked/paid NI and he gets ESA.

Esa dd gets it , she has never worked and never will.

It’s Universal Credit you’ll have to apply for as his appointee. You used to be able to get income related ESA if you had no contributions but that’s not the case since UC full service came in.

You can apply for ESA now . Ds (wont ever work) received it while at college. Speak to contact or N AS or mencap for advice

My DS claims ESA as well as PIP as he will never be able to work either. Your DS will get put in the "support group" for ESA so he will not have to sign on at the job centre.

Thank you very much I'll look into these asap. I am my son's appointee for PIP, will these benefits link up with that, or is it a whole new process?

ESA and pip........I was surprised at how high the ESA rate is.

My dd is on the highest rate pip and gets almost £200 a week ESA on top (( think it's around £195 to be precise )) she does have to pay £130 PW towards her care costs out of that tho. Plus another £70 towards bills / food at her supported living place.

ESA doesn't exist anymore for new claimants. He'll be entitled to UC. It doesn't link up with the PIP, but you'll be able to send off the same evidence.

I found it really complicated tbh but just went through it expecting thing and then anything DD got was a bonus. She gets £251 a month as she's deemed to be able to do stuff to enable her to work in the future.

As your son will not have paid NI he would now get UC. That has replaced income related ESA for new claimants. Pip will continue, but is not linked. For the moment no face to face appointment is needed but that might change as Coronavirus rules change. Up focuses more on whether you can work or not.

Normally you would need to be talked to regarding appointee but other arrangements may be in place. If your son is too ill/disabled to do any activities then he should get an extra element to reflect that.

The challenge deadlines are the same - one month for reconsideration and one for appeal.

There is a lot of info on CAB website and link to a helpline

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/before-you-apply/what-universal-credit-is/

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/getting-universal-credit-if-youre-sick-or-disabled/

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/helptoclaim/