Will he still qualify for carers allowance? (And universal credit?)

[stopmefeelingsick]

My husband is a carer for our disabled son who has ASD and he's been getting carers allowance for the past few years. We also get some universal credit as my husband being unable to work due to caring for our son means we have a low income.

Our son is considering university but I very much doubt he'll be there all of the time. Most likely he'll be at home 50% of the time, just staying a few nights in accommodation and I'll bring him home for the rest of the time.

Because my son could have an anxiety attack and need to be at home (with supervision) at any time he needs his Dad to be available at all times, which means my husband cannot work.

I know carers allowance is awarded if he provides care for 35 hours a week or more, but would "being on standby" count towards some of this? I'm thinking of a scenario where he still does a lot of care (20 hours?) but falls short of the 35 needed.

Would this be an opportunity to change the status quo and try to gain some independence for your son and husband?
It will depend on whether your son still receives PIP if he goes to uni - I'm waiting to see re: dc who goes next year hopefully.
Your son can also apply for support through student finance (DSA) which might provide eg a mentor. Uni pastoral and SEND support is so much better than school offer sometimes
It might be a next step and allow your husband back to work and to have his own freedoms?

I'm saying this from a place of experience, although all our children are different, not glibly. My dc has ocd, ASC, ptsd, and it has been a journey with me leaving work at one stage to be a full time carer.

Yes if your DS is home for 50% of the time then your DH will still qualify. Caring includes night time care so if he's home for even just a couple of days that will cover the 35 hours. If he's on standby the rest of the time it doesn't make any difference, since the 35 hours is covered by the time your DS will be at home.
In any case if you get UC the CA is deducted £ for £ anyway. But you'll still get the carer premium on UC which will mean no work requirements.

Going to uni isn't a change of circumstances for PIP so it won't be removed or reviewed based on going to uni. Many students continue to get PIP. Make sure you look into the other things he'd be entitled to in his own right as an adult getting PIP.

If it ever does drop below 35 hours then he'd still be entitled to the carer credit for 20 hours care. This doesn't pay anything in cash but will pay an NI credit towards pension years.

You do have to inform of a change of address or doctor, my dc did when they went and moved to halls because they had to register so they could see someone. I also think moving to uni and the change is a really good time to re-evaluate the status quo and see if there is room to improve independence. I am really hoping my dc can work with a mentor as a step away from me.

You don't need to live with someone to be their carer,you just need to be caring for those hours. I am not sure being available just in case would be enough to count.

My adult dd has asd and a job, doesn’t live with me and I still get carers for her as I can’t work as have to be on standby a lot of the time and then helping her at other times

How often do these anxiety attacks happen ? What's going to happen if he has one whilst at Uni ?

Thanks everyone.

@Babyroobs They mostly happen in the morning. Once he's up and at college he's mostly fine. When he gets a bad one though it can affect him for a few days. But he can go a week or two and be fine. The university is 45 minutes drive so I'd collect him. I really don't know how he's going to cope in halls with anxiety and severe ADHD but if he can do it it's a great way to learn independent living