17 year old not going back to school. Loss of tax credit help!

[avroroad]

Please go gentle on me, up until 3 years ago DH and I both worked full time. Him for over 30 years, me for just under. Now we have found ourselves sin a bit of a shitty position.

The upshot is that DS, 17, may not be returning to school but won't be going to Uni until 2021. So this means a loss of CB and my tax credits will drop - I will just have one child on my claim. I get carers allowance (for DH) and up until Covid-19 I was self employed. That income has gone for the foreseeable, mainly due to the industry which isn't going to pick up anytime soon. We are managing but I am really worried about what happens when I lose the money for DS (end of August iirc) There is nothing for him. He isn't ready to get a job, even if there were jobs available, due to being autistic. So does that leave us as we are or is there anything I could do that might make things a bit easier? UC maybe? I have been reluctant to do anything that would trigger a switch to UC because all the calculators told me (haven't looked recently - I'm baffled won't it all now) that tax credits are a better option.

This isn't a simple case of 'get a job' for me. I have a job. I have my business waiting for me when trade picks up again (realistically looking at months though) and I have heavily invested etc. My job suits my circumstances ordinarily. What I do meantime, if anything, I have no idea though.

I hope you find a way through it avro.

Aldi

That is a brilliant link, very helpful - I'm just about to see if I can work it out! Thank you

@RJnomore1

Thank you.

Did you get any support with his DLA application? And there’s no harm in applying for PIP if they turn it down they turn it down?
You are saying that he is not capable for things that other 17 year olds are - and that’s what you need to focus on to be eligible.

My ds is 16 & has Autism, he attends a mainstream school & to look at him you wouldn't think he had any problems, he qualifies for the highest care rate DLA & the lowest mobility, we are just going through him moving over to PIP. Does your ds see a neuro disability consultant? If so I would speak to them to ask if they would support you both in applying for PIP again.

Did you get any support with his DLA application?

Yes. We applied 4 times over the years and went to 2 tribunals.

*And there’s no harm in applying for PIP if they turn it down they turn it down?
*
We have already been here.

You are saying that he is not capable for things that other 17 year olds are - and that’s what you need to focus on to be eligible.

Indeed. He is not the same as the average 17 year old. He does not meet the criteria for PIP though.

My ds is 16 & has Autism, he attends a mainstream school & to look at him you wouldn't think he had any problems, he qualifies for the highest care rate DLA & the lowest mobility, we are just going through him moving over to PIP.

Do you think me saying he does not qualify for PIP is based on me or anyone else looking at him?

Does your ds see a neuro disability consultant?

No. He was diagnosed years ago and left to get on with it the same as most other people in this area as far as I am aware.

If so I would speak to them to ask if they would support you both in applying for PIP again.

Even if he did see someone, why would they support a claim? He doesn't meet the criteria. I would be asking people to lie.

@Nat6999

Sorry : I was too defensive. Since you are going through it perhaps you could tel me what criteria your child does meet?

Right I'm taking a break from this thread. It was intended to find out about my benefit claims but had become a bit 'cancel the cheque' regarding PIP and really frustrating in terms of 'of he doesn't qualify for PIP why can't he work' as if there is nothing in between.

I appreciate everyone who took the time to reply to me, and thank everyone who has given information that could be helpful.

I will come back to the thread later but for the next wee while I need the break to stop me spontaneously combusting if I read another 'he can apply for PIP' post. He really doesn't qualify.

DLA is different to PIP so f you haven’t applied for that it might be worth a go. PIP scores you for things like struggling with social interaction, needing reminding to have a shower, struggling to plan a journey, that sort of thing.

Apologies if you’ve already tried: I know it’s tedious and draining. It’s just that when they switched me from DLA to PIP my award went up by quite a bit so I think it’s important that people are encouraged to give it a go if they haven’t already.

We had autistic DD in a similar situation when she took a gap year (living at home) before uni. She was able to claim UC with a carer element (I get PIP for my own disabilities and she is constantly at home to supervise me so she meets the carer criteria) and that meant she got a higher amount than just the standard element, and more importantly, didn't have to worry about being asked to seek work. It was her own benefit claim, but we set up her account so she had towards board and household bills out of it. I didn't bother trying to claim for limited capability for work element as it wouldn't have meant any more money, and I didn't feel she met the threshold for limited capability for work related activity.

Oh God, sorry OP, cross posted.

Thank you. I don't know that the GP would give a fit note though. On what grounds? I mean I shall look into it, but the GP has not seen him since he was 9 so I'm not sure what they could say.

A fit note just states the name of the health condition or disability that mean the person is not currently fit for work, and the period of time for which it applies. They GP doesn’t need to give a report. It might not be the right route for your son but worth discussing it with CA and seeing what they suggest?

Can he enrol at the local FE college for a year to do a non advanced course?

Being at home for over a year won't be good for him as well as being a disaster for your finances.

In answer to your original post - no, you just have to have less tax credits. It's what I do.

My ds has help at school, he has a pass to leave lessons if he is overwhelmed with light, noise etc, he also has a pass to access a separate area for breaks & lunchtimes as he finds crowds & lots of noise difficult, he also has to use a laptop for all written work as his handwriting is terrible, he has hypotonia which is part of the Autism diagnosis, his muscle tone is very poor, he can't grip well which means he can't write well, open jars, fasten buttons. I have to tell him when he needs a shower or clean clothes as he doesn't realise, he would often wear inappropriate clothing for weather conditions, like going to school in a t shirt when it is snowing, he has a very narrow range of clothes that he will wear due to sensory issues, he can't tie shoe laces, has to have hickies. He doesn't sleep well, suffers anxiety & depression, has self harmed & has panic attacks. For all this he is extremely bright & expected to get levels 7-9 in most of his GCSE's.

Could you "homeschool" your DS? Schooling only needs to be for 12 hours per week to qualify. There's websites etc he could use so you don't have to deliver the teaching thus allowing you to get back to your business when the time is right?

I also found this

www.autism.org.uk/about/benefits-care/benefits/young-people.aspx

I also found this page

www.entitledto.co.uk/help/claims-by-16-and-17-year-olds

Ok op if you haven't lost the will to live I have some options for you.

1. tax credits are not necessarily the best option now that your children are older and you have lost household income.
2. UC is currently more generous and more flexible for self employed people, and as you have caring responsibilities you will have a work allowance before deductions for income if you do get an income from your work.
3. your son won't be entitled to benefits if he is going to be assessed as fit for work. So I would forget trying to claim anything on his behalf. It is a luxury not making him go to school or work for the next year - only you as a family can decide if you can afford it.
4. as you are self employed then are you getting any funding from the gov scheme? You haven't mentioned it.
5. get down to Citizens Advice and have a better off calculation. You may be surprised by the result.

I work for CAB in England, I have two HF autistic teens who do not get pip.

@nesteam

Thanks. I would be reluctant to come off carers allowance and have DS claim UC and carers as it took me 18 months to get it awarded due to me being self employed and the carers allowance department filing things in the 'do nothing' pile for a year! It is an option, however it would be temporary and the change to get carers back for me would be a pita!

A fit note just states the name of the health condition or disability that mean the person is not currently fit for work, and the period of time for which it applies. They GP doesn’t need to give a report.

Thanks. I assumed they would have to deem DS not for for work in order to write a note to that effect.

Can he enrol at the local FE college for a year to do a non advanced course?

No if he was going back it would be to school.

Being at home for over a year won't be good for him as well as being a disaster for your finances.

It won't be good for him, no. I'm hoping he would not be at home for they what though. It wouldn't be a disaster for my finances, difficult yes, but we would manage.

Thanks. I assumed they would have to deem DS not for for work in order to write a note to that effect.
That is correct.

Well yes, they would have to deem him unfit for work - but you could speak to the GP with his consent to discuss why you don’t think he can work at present.

Just so you know, you can remain on carers and claim UC. It’s deducted pound for pound but they add on a carers element to the Uc. Or you can be a carer on uc and cancel the carers allowance. If you are a carer you don’t have to meet the Self employed minimum income floor on uc. www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/on-universal-credit/how-the-minimum-income-floor-works-if-youre-self-employed/

OP check out the link I shared. Homeschooling is definitely an option. You could do 12 hours a week over 4 days. 3 hours a day. Your DS could get into a routine and do different highers.

There are (paid for) solutions that would mean you didn't need to deliver the teaching.