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Original poster

Can anyone help with how to get a bank account for adult SEN DS to apply for UC?

51 replies

myfaceismyown · 04/12/2022 17:00

My DS turned 20. He receives PIP as his SEN is complex. I have been told he can now receive UC, whilst at college, but he would need a bank account for this.
Up until now I have managed his money as he would not have a clue. To receive UC he would need a bank account, and does not have a passport, driving license (the idea of that is hilarious) and obviously does not pay any bills etc as its all done through the bank of Mum and Dad.
DH and I plan to carry on looking after him until we are too inferm, in which case our other DC has offered to take over his care. I'm in a bit of a quandry as putting him through a UC application would be distressing for him - PIP was pretty bad. I have never claimed UC myself so its not anything I know about. Googling has just made the whole thing confusing! Has anyone gone through this who might be kind enough to offer advise please?

OP posts:
vjg13 · 04/12/2022 17:55

@gogohmm You can apply for a passport for an adult without capacity and there is an exemption on the signing part.

bigbluebus · 04/12/2022 18:01

My DD got DLA (Higher rate) and ESA before it got switched to universal credit. She was not capable of operating a bank account. All her money went into an account in my name (I had been designated by DWP) and I just styled the account 'my name re DD' to keep it separate from my money.

Original poster
myfaceismyown · 04/12/2022 18:03

This might sound completely batty and not sure you will understand, but I feel a bit guilty applying for UC for him. We have paid off our mortgage as we are older parents and have both had reasonable, middle income, careers. Not flash by any means, but we have been careful. I also feel we should provide for him as he is our boy. I am thinking of his future really and the burden we will put on our other DC.

OP posts:
vjg13 · 04/12/2022 18:32

@myfaceismyown It is important for your son's future that you do apply for all benefits to which he is entitled. My daughter's ESA (a legacy benefit that will change to UC) is predominantly used to supplement her direct payments so that she can attend respite which she loves. She needs that skill are being able to stay away from home.

At some point we do want to find a different living arrangement for her, (as she lives at home currently and we won't live forever) and it will be needed to pay towards that too.

Original poster
myfaceismyown · 04/12/2022 18:51

@vjg13 You are right of course. Keep perspective, and claim now for his future.
We have never had respite, nor friends and family that help. Just muddled along.
If I can get this sorted out it will help both my DCs going forward.

OP posts:
JustKeepBuilding · 04/12/2022 18:54

Have you asked for social care assessments?

Don’t let DS’s savings build up too much. UC starts to reduce once savings reach £6k and other support can also be subject to financial assessment.

Original poster
myfaceismyown · 04/12/2022 18:55

@JustKeepBuilding you will think me naieve but no I have not asked for social care support. I don't even know what that is!

OP posts:
JustKeepBuilding · 04/12/2022 18:58

You need to ask for a social care assessment for DS. He may well be eligible for support e.g. direct payments for a PA. You can also ask for a carer’s assessment for yourself.

Does DS have an EHCP?

Original poster
myfaceismyown · 04/12/2022 19:00

@JustKeepBuilding he has an EHCP and has had one since primary school. At these meetings you just get to persuade which ever educational authority to keep him on. No one talks about any other help available. I feel I am fighting his corner to keep him in education, and that ends this year.

OP posts:
JustKeepBuilding · 04/12/2022 19:03

The EHCP can continue until 26 if necessary. Don’t let it cease this year, DS still needs it.

Is DS receiving therapies and PfA support via his EHCP?

Original poster
myfaceismyown · 04/12/2022 19:05

@JustKeepBuilding No one has suggested therapies. I do not know what PFA is and Google did not help. Sorry if I sound stupid.

OP posts:
JustKeepBuilding · 04/12/2022 19:10

PfA is preparation for adulthood. There should be PfA provision in DS’s EHCP. DS would benefit from therapies such as OT and SALT. Has DS never had OT and SALT assessments?

It sounds like you need an early review of the EHCP or depending on when DS last had assessments a reassessment of needs.

Original poster
myfaceismyown · 04/12/2022 19:12

I guess the issue is there are no guidelines or handbook for parents of a DC with SEN. You have to best guess your way through it. You have all been most enlightening.

OP posts:
JustKeepBuilding · 04/12/2022 19:13

IPSEA and SOSSEN have lots of useful information on their websites and have advice lines. The SN boards on here are helpful too.

vjg13 · 04/12/2022 19:14

Approach your local social care services and ask for your son to be assessed. This should have been included as part of his EHC plan. We were only able to access respite when my daughter was 18 and her direct payment amount increased as she was reassessed by adult social care. We had had a very low amount of direct payments prior to that but at least that system was in place. As said by a PP you should also have a carer's assessment from social care.

You may be able to claim carer's allowance if your earnings are under the threshold. When you claim UC send his full EHC plan and any other documents that will support your claim. There is an excellent website which produces guides that can help with good examples etc.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk

SafariRushHour · 04/12/2022 19:17

We opened a Halifax account. The Halifax told us what would be acceptable ID and we were able to monitor accounts online

JustKeepBuilding · 04/12/2022 19:20

Another thing you may not be aware of is the council tax discount. Now DS is over 18 you as his carer can be disregarded, so if DH is the only other adult in the household eligible to pay council tax (DS is exempt as he is still in education) you will be eligible for 25% single person discount.

Once DS leaves education you may still be eligible for it if DS has SMI as he will be disregarded.

vjg13 · 04/12/2022 19:22

myfaceismyown · 04/12/2022 19:12

I guess the issue is there are no guidelines or handbook for parents of a DC with SEN. You have to best guess your way through it. You have all been most enlightening.

In my experience the professionals there to guide through this process are incompetent, lazy or have their own agenda in balancing their budget by shoe horning young people into inappropriate educational or social care settings.

I started the process of becoming my daughter's court of protection health and welfare deputy after a social worker cancelled our meeting because she had "forgotten her car that day". Unfortunately, once a young person is 18, your opinion as a parent carries no legal right.

Babyroobs · 04/12/2022 20:12

myfaceismyown · 04/12/2022 18:03

This might sound completely batty and not sure you will understand, but I feel a bit guilty applying for UC for him. We have paid off our mortgage as we are older parents and have both had reasonable, middle income, careers. Not flash by any means, but we have been careful. I also feel we should provide for him as he is our boy. I am thinking of his future really and the burden we will put on our other DC.

With Uc you will need to be careful if the money builds up and he has more than 6k in savings. I'm only saying this as it can happen if they are not spending it. It does work out to quite a bit of money especially if higher rates of PIP also - over £1200 a month.

Babyroobs · 04/12/2022 20:13

JustKeepBuilding · 04/12/2022 19:20

Another thing you may not be aware of is the council tax discount. Now DS is over 18 you as his carer can be disregarded, so if DH is the only other adult in the household eligible to pay council tax (DS is exempt as he is still in education) you will be eligible for 25% single person discount.

Once DS leaves education you may still be eligible for it if DS has SMI as he will be disregarded.

Are you sure about this ? If a person has SMI they can get a council tax regard but I've not heard of a carer getting it?

vjg13 · 04/12/2022 20:18

@Babyroobs Yes, we get it! 3 adults in the house, one carer, one with "SMI".

JustKeepBuilding · 04/12/2022 20:18

Yes, I’m sure. Some carers, including parents caring for DC over 18 living in the same house, can be disregarded for council tax purposes. Link. So if them being disregarded means there’s only 1 adult left in the household who isn’t disregarded they are eligible for a 25% single person discount.

SusanPerbCallMeSue · 04/12/2022 20:29

UC can be paid into the appointee's bank account, as that's what I did when I applied for UC for my son. Although they turned him down as he is in full time education - doing life skills at college. Currently trying to sort this out as I wasn't told I should have applied before he started so he could have a work capability assessment. As a carer I can't work so I'm stuffed without this money basically.

Orangesandlemons77 · 05/12/2022 20:01

I recommend the Co-operative bank, it is ethical and nice and easy to use as well.

They are doing an offer at the moment giving you £125 to start you off if you open an account with a referral from an existing account holder. I'd be happy to do this if anyone would like to pm me. Full transparency- they also give the account holder £125 as well.

www.co-operativebank.co.uk

JadeSeahorse · 05/12/2022 20:09

vjg13 · 04/12/2022 17:37

I opened an bank account for my daughter (who has severe learning difficulties) with Lloyds and I am an appointee on the account and able to manage it. I am her DWP appointee. Lloyds were the only bank that I approached that seemed able to do this but it did have to be in person. I think TSB would be similar. She did not need to be present though. I did need a photo ID for her and used her passport.

This is exactly what we have too!