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Original poster

Universal Credit- turning 18?

69 replies

Lifeoflove · 29/02/2024 21:59

My Daughter turns 18 soon and in her last year of college (leaves June 24). She has mental health issues, so currently received standard care PIP. Her struggles mean she is unable to get a job. I currently get UC and CB but realise that I will lose CB as soon as she finishes college. What will happen to UC as she is then an adult? But not earning and will not be able to. Worried as will also lose the 25% discount on CT also. Has anyone been through this? Where can I get further information?
thank you ☺️

OP posts:
TooManyCheesecakeCalories · 29/02/2024 23:00

She can apply for U.C in her own right which will give extra money to the household, are you down as her carer?

Nat6999 · 29/02/2024 23:44

She claims UC & if her MH problems are severe enough she can ask her doctor to sign a severe mental impairment form to exempt her from council tax which will mean you get a 25% reduction.

Babyroobs · 29/02/2024 23:47

She will need to make a claim for UC herself, submit sick notes and wait to be assessed for work capability. She may be expected to attend some appointments until she's been assessed but they are at the work coaches' discretion, you will need to explain the situation. As regards your UC, if she is your youngest child you will also lose your work allowance if you work.

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Original poster
Lifeoflove · 01/03/2024 07:20

TooManyCheesecakeCalories · 29/02/2024 23:00

She can apply for U.C in her own right which will give extra money to the household, are you down as her carer?

No, i work too many hours to be classed as her carer but get a small amount in UC as she claims PIP. When doing the calculations on turn2us, the amount I loose is more than half of what I currently get!

OP posts:
Original poster
Lifeoflove · 01/03/2024 07:24

Babyroobs · 29/02/2024 23:47

She will need to make a claim for UC herself, submit sick notes and wait to be assessed for work capability. She may be expected to attend some appointments until she's been assessed but they are at the work coaches' discretion, you will need to explain the situation. As regards your UC, if she is your youngest child you will also lose your work allowance if you work.

Edited

Ok, when would she apply for that? She leaves college in June to break for summer, do I tell UC on that date or August 31st like you do with other benefits? It’s all very confusing! 🫤
I have a younger child also.

OP posts:
Bjorkdidit · 01/03/2024 08:48

Lifeoflove · 01/03/2024 07:20

No, i work too many hours to be classed as her carer but get a small amount in UC as she claims PIP. When doing the calculations on turn2us, the amount I loose is more than half of what I currently get!

Show quote history

If the amount you get is 'small', then the reduction in your household income won't be huge. If you inform UC of the change in your journal, they'll tell you what the right date/rules are.

Your DD will then be assessed for UC in her own right and she will be expected to give some of it to you to contribute towards her living costs. The amount you lose could be a starting point.

You will need to work together so that she continues to receive benefits as an adult and she manages her money appropriately, eg she pays for things like travel, phone, clothes, lunches, socialising, clubs etc, as well as saves some of it and gives some of it to you towards food, heating etc.

secondscreen · 01/03/2024 08:50

Nat6999 · 29/02/2024 23:44

She claims UC & if her MH problems are severe enough she can ask her doctor to sign a severe mental impairment form to exempt her from council tax which will mean you get a 25% reduction.

Exemption form would only apply if v severe eg dementia, learning disabilities ie lacks capacity, couldn't vote etc.

MaryHoppins · 01/03/2024 08:51

If she attends college can she not attend a job? Even part-time?

Babyroobs · 01/03/2024 10:06

Lifeoflove · 01/03/2024 07:20

No, i work too many hours to be classed as her carer but get a small amount in UC as she claims PIP. When doing the calculations on turn2us, the amount I loose is more than half of what I currently get!

Show quote history

You can still claim the carers element of UC even if you earn too much to claim carers allowance. You should make sure that carers element is on your claim if you provide 35 hours of care a week for your daughter. You will currently be getting the lower disabled child element but that will stop when she comes off your claim, as will the child element for her. When she makes her own Uc claim she will need to hand in fit notes if she is not able to work but the work capability process can take some months for her to be assessed, so until then she would just get the single under 25 standard element of £292.11 per month. It does have the potential to go up if she was found after assessment to not be fit for any kind of work at all. She will also have her PIP paid separately on top of course so in total around £550 a month. Obviously she can use some of this to pay board to you to make up for your shortfall.

secondscreen · 01/03/2024 22:16

If there is any possibility that she can do any sort of work, for however few hours or however little pay - or even voluntary to start - you should be encouraging it. A life on benefits is going to be pretty miserable and the longer she stays off work, the less likely it is that she'll go back. What was she studying?

YouJustDoYou · 02/03/2024 06:37

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Noicant · 02/03/2024 06:41

secondscreen · 01/03/2024 22:16

If there is any possibility that she can do any sort of work, for however few hours or however little pay - or even voluntary to start - you should be encouraging it. A life on benefits is going to be pretty miserable and the longer she stays off work, the less likely it is that she'll go back. What was she studying?

Yeah I’d agree with this, I would focus on helping her find a job, even if it’s part time hours.

Mummyboy1 · 02/03/2024 06:43

I think if she can manage college she needs to try and get a job. It's not going to be helpful to go straight onto benefits

PSEnny · 02/03/2024 06:50

Straight onto benefits at age 18? No attempt to even see if she can work? Many jobs can be done remotely and can be more flexible. Is she getting treatment? To have such extreme mental health issues that mean you can go to college but can’t work doesn’t add up. Is she planning on never working?
Why don’t you work more hours to make up for the shortfall, if your daughter isn’t working then she will be around to help look after younger siblings meaning you can work more and have more money.

MississippiAF · 02/03/2024 06:53

If she can do college, she can try p/t working. What is she studying?

Arthurnewyorkcity · 02/03/2024 07:05

Would also be encouraging a job. You don't want to go down the road of 'you can't work because of your mental health' when she's just 18. She needs the right support to eventually live an independent life and encouraging instant sign on to benefits isn't that. Work could even help her when she is able to access it; meeting friends, confidence, etc. If she's able to access college, she should be able to gain work of some sort

fribea · 02/03/2024 07:57

My DS is disabled and claimed UC once he left college. He claims PIP at the enhanced rate. He stayed in college until he was 20, and we were able to claim child benefit until his 20th birthday. I think we were able to claim tax credits until he turned 20 as well. I think the UC rules will allow you to continue getting the child element if she stays in non-advanced education/training until age 19, so she could stay on your claim a bit longer if there is another course, or training, she wants to do. Does she have an EHCP?

It was pretty straightforward claiming UC. We claimed online in the summer after he left college, went to the jobcentre once for an interview, and got a fit note so he never had any requirement to seek work. Then I sent his UC50 form and he was awarded LCWRA and he gets that element now. I'm his appointee so I've set up an email address for his benefit stuff and other admin, that I can access and get forwarded to my own email, so I can check for any journal entries. But he never has tasks to complete and has never had to go into a jobcentre since that first interview.

I'd recommend getting in touch with Contact or Carers UK regarding benefits, they have websites with good information and helplines too.

Coconutter24 · 02/03/2024 08:35

I agree with previous posters in regards to if she’s at college why can’t she get a job? Surely you would encourage her to try get work even if it’s only part time to begin with. If she’s at college mixing with people and out doing things why can’t she work?

Skiphopbump · 02/03/2024 08:43

Can she stay in college for another year?

My DS will be doing a 1 year life skills course which also involves one day a week work experience, it’s for academically able students who have ASD or anxiety. Anything like available in your area?

Babyroobs · 02/03/2024 11:00

PSEnny · 02/03/2024 06:50

Straight onto benefits at age 18? No attempt to even see if she can work? Many jobs can be done remotely and can be more flexible. Is she getting treatment? To have such extreme mental health issues that mean you can go to college but can’t work doesn’t add up. Is she planning on never working?
Why don’t you work more hours to make up for the shortfall, if your daughter isn’t working then she will be around to help look after younger siblings meaning you can work more and have more money.

Must be extreme if she's been awarded PIP surely ?

Augustus40 · 02/03/2024 11:09

A few claimants on PIP work part time but many cannot work at all.

I thought this was common knowledge.

Pinkfluffypencilcase · 02/03/2024 11:13

Agree with pp - apply for a place on another course at FE college.

This could be practical course and get her more work ready or a year of independent living type course. CB will then continue to be paid and any associated benefits.

Original poster
Lifeoflove · 03/03/2024 20:42

I am not wanting, nor would I ever want my daughter to be on benefits but her mental health has been bad since she was 13 with her first attempt of taking her own life (4 in total) The reason why she can attend college is because she has a lot of support at college and as we never know when she is going to have a low day, college is a safe space where they understand her complexities. She has tried to work a few times but she has had panic attacks etc and employers do not understand mental health and how it can impact her days even when she has put this on the application forms!! As explained she is on PIP, under CAMHS and has a psychologist that is helping her try to manage her episodes but it’s a long process and not a quick fix if there is a fix.
I work full time, 40 hours a week, I cannot work anymore than I am. I am a single parent. Trying to manage her mental health, look after my children/young adults and all the other day to day things that life brings.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lifeoflove · 03/03/2024 20:55

Pinkfluffypencilcase · 02/03/2024 11:13

Agree with pp - apply for a place on another course at FE college.

This could be practical course and get her more work ready or a year of independent living type course. CB will then continue to be paid and any associated benefits.

Thank you ❤️
Yes, we have had a conversation and I think she is going to stay on at college for another year to see how things are then. We have a meeting with the college next week, we will be discussing her options and how they can support her for another year 😊

OP posts:
Pinkfluffypencilcase · 03/03/2024 21:07

Agree too that being in college is a very different environment to work. We have a lot of support in place for some of our students. And it really is the best place for them sometimes rather than slipping through. There isn’t much support outside of college. Keep her there till she’s ready.