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Original poster

Why would my daughter be applying for Universal Credit if she’s living at home?

51 replies

AutimnW1nter · 19/09/2023 16:59

She’s has full PIP but I don’t understand what Universal Credit is for. She was advised to apply for UC.

OP posts:
Beezknees · 19/09/2023 17:01

More information is needed. Is she working? Could be ESA related.

Original poster
AutimnW1nter · 19/09/2023 17:02

Nope she’s doing a college course.

OP posts:
Original poster
AutimnW1nter · 19/09/2023 17:02

What is ESA?

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

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Benefits
GigiAnnna · 19/09/2023 17:02

Living costs, so she's not dependent on you. If she's entitled to it, why not?

melmonroe · 19/09/2023 17:04

How old is she?

Original poster
AutimnW1nter · 19/09/2023 17:06

She is 18 soon to be 19. But if she’s living at home and getting full pip what are her living costs? If she’s entitled to it that’s fine but as a family we’re not entitled to benefits normally.

OP posts:
Beezknees · 19/09/2023 17:06

AutimnW1nter · 19/09/2023 17:02

What is ESA?

Employment support allowance. It's a benefit you can possibly get if you're a student and receive PIP.

Beezknees · 19/09/2023 17:10

AutimnW1nter · 19/09/2023 17:06

She is 18 soon to be 19. But if she’s living at home and getting full pip what are her living costs? If she’s entitled to it that’s fine but as a family we’re not entitled to benefits normally.

She's an adult, presumably with a disability? It's to cover her costs associated with that. Now she's an adult, you are not expected to cover those costs as a family, the state will start covering it. It will give her financial independence.

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 19/09/2023 17:11

AutimnW1nter · 19/09/2023 17:06

She is 18 soon to be 19. But if she’s living at home and getting full pip what are her living costs? If she’s entitled to it that’s fine but as a family we’re not entitled to benefits normally.

PIP is to go toward extra costs caused by her illness or disability. It wasn’t designed for the usual living costs (hence it mean non means tested).

UC or ESA (if she has NI contributions) are income replacement benefits. Recognising that people with I’ll health or disabilities can’t always work in the same way as others.

She’s an adult so is treated as a financially independent person by the benefits system so she should apply.

She should also look into DSA in case she’s entitled to any help toward anything for her course.

GigiAnnna · 19/09/2023 17:13

As an adult, clothing, food, travel costs, social life etc. Not all parents are in a financial position to support that. Fair enough if you help her out but you aren't expected to and she's no longer a dependent.

Original poster
AutimnW1nter · 19/09/2023 17:13

So how do you work out what she pays us for her living expenses? What do others do in this situation?

OP posts:
YetMoreNewBeginnings · 19/09/2023 17:18

AutimnW1nter · 19/09/2023 17:13

So how do you work out what she pays us for her living expenses? What do others do in this situation?

Wait until you see what she gets then work out her costs.

Some people take a percentage, some people take a token amount and some take nothing. It depends on your circumstances

comedownwithme · 19/09/2023 17:31

AutimnW1nter · 19/09/2023 17:13

So how do you work out what she pays us for her living expenses? What do others do in this situation?

Nothing because you don't need it.

amiboverd · 19/09/2023 17:34

I suppose if you would take board from her if she were working then you could take it from her if she gets UC. What would you ask for if she were working?

eatdrinkandbemerry · 19/09/2023 17:38

My sons 19 and claiming pip.
He also claims universal credit because he has to pay to attend his specialist daycare.
He also needs clothing and we spend a fortune on his social life.
So why wouldn't he claim it!
Ps I don't take a penny for his board and lodging because i don't need it.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 19/09/2023 17:45

amiboverd · 19/09/2023 17:34

I suppose if you would take board from her if she were working then you could take it from her if she gets UC. What would you ask for if she were working?

But she won't be getting any money towards housing because you're providing that, and you aren't paying more council tax if there are already two adults paying it, so don't expect part of what you want to include a proportion of mortgage/rent/council tax. The money she will get will be in respect of food, clothes, a share of utilities, that kind of thing - not rent or council tax.

bluefawn · 19/09/2023 17:53

My DS gets PIP and UC. He gets a bit for spending money but most of it goes into the household pot. It's not onerous to claim, especially if they get LCWRA, so no reason not to claim. We didn't really question why.

90yomakeuproom · 19/09/2023 17:56

Ahhh right so the only reason you asked was to work out how much you can take off her? That's a bit mean

gogomoto · 19/09/2023 17:58

Esa is a gateway benefit that allows the college to get extra money, also dsa. Past 18 she is entitled not to be dependent on you, also pip is for her extra costs not living costs officially

Findyourneutralspace · 19/09/2023 18:07

My DS gets around £60 a week UC living at home. It covers his clothes, going out, bits of food he needs, travel costs etc.

TigerRag · 19/09/2023 18:23

UC also entitles you to things like free prescriptions, eye tests, help towards glasses etc. (once you turn 19 it goes on income rather than being in full time education)

OvertakenByLego · 19/09/2023 18:34

This is a helpful booklet by Contact on claiming UC for young people.

If DD is in full time education and not has yet reached the September following her 19th birthday in order to claim UC she would have needed to establish LCW/LCWRA prior to the start of the course (or meet one of the other exceptions for being able to receive UC whilst in full time education). If DD cannot yet receive UC she (or her appointee) can make a credits only new style ESA claim in order to establish LCW/LCWRA in case she changes course.

Original poster
AutimnW1nter · 19/09/2023 18:40

90yomakeuproom

Right of course, yes that was it.🙄

No I didn’t want her to get in trouble further down the line for claiming benefits she’s not entitled to. I asked what other families do to find out the norm. If I just wanted to fleece her I wouldn’t have bothered asking. If she has zero costs and her family aren’t entitled to any benefits I’m not sure why she would get anything if not contributing in the ways others have suggested. We will want to downsize so paying for an extra bedroom we don’t need so she can live with us is a cost to us, ditto the extra utilities, food, petrol etc.

OP posts:
nc14 · 19/09/2023 18:45

I’m confused - you don’t want to take money off her but you do want to take money off her? Your post seems to indicate both.

Original poster
AutimnW1nter · 19/09/2023 18:57

No I just wanted to know why she would be eligible, what it’s supposed to be for and what others do.

OP posts:
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