Disabled adult DD & Universal Credit.

[Tinkerbellone]

Please could I have some advice.
My DD19 (she's 20 in September), has just left education completely.
She is awarded high level mobility and high level care.
Her child element on my claim and her child benefit finishes on 1/09/22

I am her carer and named person who deal with all her appointments & paperwork etc.

Could someone tell me when I should apply for universal credit for her? Do I have to wait until after 1/09/22 or can I apply before?
Thank you so much I'm getting in a panic about it. Although I work part time, when she comes off my UC claim it will be £700 less. I have budgeted for this change but am worried about finance to support her now.

I would say yes apply from 1/9/22 as it will be backdated to that date although you won't receive a payment for 5 weeks. She will only get the standard element of £256.31 per month for a start. you will need to hand in sick notes for her and wait for her to be assessed for work capability. After she has been assessed and hopefully awarded the Limited capability for work and work related activity element, it should then go up but that LCWRA element id only paid from the fourth UC assessment period after you started handing in sick notes. You are going to be quite a lot down on payments for a while compared to what you are getting now.

The drop is so much because you will lose your work allowance assuming you don't have any other younger children still in education.

Assuming her PIP will continue, have you looked at ESA as well?

Maybe put a note on your UC to ask them when the application is required for her?

She won't get ESA when she hasn't ever worked unless it's a credits only claim.

Ah yes, you're right. Would the daughter at have been eligible for the credits in the last year with ESA? It would at least count towards the State Pension?

OP - This website might be useful for you: workingfamilies.org.uk/articles/a-guide-to-benefits-if-you-care-for-a-disabled-person/

Separate to applying for UC in September, have you considered applying for an EHCP for DD?

@LargeLegoHaul my DD has an EHCP but they have finished this now because she has left specialist education :(

What will she be doing now she's left education? Is there anything she can do? Obviously I'm not privy to her needs and capabilities, but if she can't work in a regular workplace, are there specialist options in your area?

EHCPs can continue until 25, or, given the case law earlier this year 26 in some circumstances. I would appeal the LA trying to cease to maintain DD’s EHCP.

If DD’s placement doesn’t continue until 25 you can look at another placement.

Thank you for all your advice.
My DD has severe social anxiety and she has Asperger's. She doesn't go out the house. Rarely leaves her room. Won't talk on the phone and will not used video call. She does chat to her sisters via headphones when online gaming.

What does she see herself doing now she's finished specialist education? Was that done remotely or did she attend a location for that? Did the specialist education facility offer any suggestions on what her options are now?

You can't double claim do 1/9. The good news is that the initial award came quickly when we claimed, unlike pip you get the money then they establish eligibility. Get as much of the paperwork ready and set up the claim ahead, just don't submit until the 1st

Dd was expected to go to the job centre though, she has autism and extreme anxiety too - I was allowed with her and they had a separate room to wait in.