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Original poster

Teen not living at home, universal credit

20 replies

Icedlatteplease · 11/09/2023 22:29

We have quite a complex home situation with DS(16) and as a result DD(17) is classed as a child in need and we have SS involvement. Its been ongoing 2 years, the situation may change but I wouldn’t bet on it. DD has done fantastically but i know she is running to the end of her resilience. At points she has been in discussion with SS as to whether they needed to provide alternative living for her but so far she's muddled through.

She's been offered to inherit early/buy flat by a family member. Initial plans were to rent it out until she used it for university, she plans to commute and can afford it on student finance. but now she's wondering about living in it to give her a bit of space through her A levels. Its still close to me and surprisingly convenient for college.

Anyone know if there is any financial support available if she does this? I'm assuming she will come off my universal credit claim but will she be entitled to her own? Anything I haven't thought of in this plan?

OP posts:

Bromptotoo · 11/09/2023 22:31

Min age for Universal Credit is 18 but there are some exceptions:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/376/regulation/8

TheFinerThings · 11/09/2023 22:32

clear as mud!

You will usually only be able to claim Universal Credit if you are aged 18 or over, but some people aged 16 or 17 can get it, depending on their circumstances. And you usually won't be able to claim Universal Credit if you're in full-time education or training, but people with certain circumstances can still apply.
https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/new-to-universal-credit/is-it-for-me/#:~:text=You%20will%20usually%20only%20be,certain%20circumstances%20can%20still%20apply.

Understanding Universal Credit - Can I apply for Universal Credit?

Find out how to apply for Universal Credit. Find out if you can claim Universal Credit and get advice on applying for Universal Credit.

https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/new-to-universal-credit/is-it-for-me/#:~:text=You%20will%20usually%20only%20be,certain%20circumstances%20can%20still%20apply.

Nochoiceleft · 11/09/2023 22:37

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re studying full-time and any of the following apply:

you’re aged 21 or under, in full-time non-advanced education and do not have parental support

It’s usually for those that have no parental involvement or that have become estranged from parents and are not allowed to return home.

Universal Credit and students

Guidance on claiming Universal Credit if you're a student.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-students#examples-of-full-time-courses-of-non-advanced-education

4catsaremylife · 11/09/2023 22:38

Will she get Student finance funding as someone living independently from parents? www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/intro/home?cid=b56ea9e1-7f4d-495c-b411-d88ac999b791.
This site is useful too

Nochoiceleft · 11/09/2023 22:39

(ii)there is a serious risk to the person's physical or mental health, or that the person would suffer significant harm if the person lived with them; or

This may be worth looking at from the regs.

Original poster

Icedlatteplease · 11/09/2023 22:42

So if the risk assessments state there is significant risk to DD she should be able to claim on the grounds she's without parent support?

I need to be certain what's happening to DS which might be problematic.

Knowing she can though might be enough for her not to want to.

OP posts:

Babyroobs · 11/09/2023 22:51

Students can't claim UC generally. You say she is going to buy it ? If so then there is no help with mortgage payments on UC and it's likely maintenance loan would wipe out any UC entirely.

Babyroobs · 11/09/2023 22:52

Babyroobs · 11/09/2023 22:51

Students can't claim UC generally. You say she is going to buy it ? If so then there is no help with mortgage payments on UC and it's likely maintenance loan would wipe out any UC entirely.

Sorry this would apply once at Uni.

Original poster

Icedlatteplease · 11/09/2023 23:09

Good to know but she should be OK, even with mortgage payments just with student finance. Its getting her to the start of her course that is dodgy financially. Another reason why id rather she wait. I think it may be dodgy if DS does actually end up being cared for somewhere other than here but they haven't managed that in two years. It would be sods law they manage it now.

Whole thing is hard but it's good to have some facts, something solid.

OP posts:

Bromptotoo · 11/09/2023 23:14

If she can show she's 'without parental support' then as well as getting UC under 18 she can also get it while in education.

However 'without parental support' can be tricky to prove and may involve going through reconsideration and appeals.

Original poster

Icedlatteplease · 11/09/2023 23:22

Thing issue has a hell of a lot of support from me but the situation at home is challenging with noted ss risks to her physical and mental health. The physical risks are "managed" but that in itself carries its own difficulties. She could come back/stay, but I really can't do anything to remove the risk and it is an abnormal living environment that takes its own toll.

So it's trying to work out if it's just about risk or whether she has to be irreparably chucked out.

OP posts:

Babyroobs · 11/09/2023 23:38

Bromptotoo · 11/09/2023 23:14

If she can show she's 'without parental support' then as well as getting UC under 18 she can also get it while in education.

However 'without parental support' can be tricky to prove and may involve going through reconsideration and appeals.

But she would surely only qualify for standard under 25 rate and student maintenance loan would cancel out any UC ?

Findyourneutralspace · 11/09/2023 23:43

I think this is something you could do to speak to your SW about. If they have discussed alternative living arrangements this may be an option, with SW support.
I can’t tell if you think it would be a good or bad idea for her? Sounds like a difficult situation for all of you though.

Bromptotoo · 11/09/2023 23:45

Babyroobs · 11/09/2023 23:38

But she would surely only qualify for standard under 25 rate and student maintenance loan would cancel out any UC ?

Show quote history

@Babyroobs was thinking about situation while still at school college ie where she'd otherwise be a QYP.

Fourmagpies · 12/09/2023 09:02

Also worth checking with her college if there are any bursaries. Where DS is at sixth form they have bursaries for those that aren't living at home.

Original poster

Icedlatteplease · 12/09/2023 09:11

@Findyourneutralspace your probably right about having a chat with our social worker.

I guess that might be part of my problem, I cant decide. She seems so young but at the same time I permanently moved out not much older than her (although that was my choice there was no necessity behind it). If camhs and ss knew what they were doing medium to long term with DS it might be easier. But they don't and so far placing him anywhere seems impossible (they have tried and epically failed) but if she had moved out and they suddenly do move DS, i think she might lose the entitlement to universal credit 😵😵😵. She's not going to want the upheaval of moving back amd definitely not if it happened to land mid way through her a levels. I think it comes back to not being sensibly possible financially until September next year. I'm not sure that's best emotionally for DD though.

Yeah its difficult 🫣😵😖🙄

OP posts:

Original poster

Icedlatteplease · 12/09/2023 09:18

@Fourmagpies I'll get DD to have a chat with her support worker at college (she hates doing that despite quite liking the woman, tells the lovely lady everything is fine a lot. She was a bit horrified when she started sitting in on the Child in need meetings)

OP posts:

greyhairnomore · 12/09/2023 09:26

If the flat is convenient for uni could she get someone in to share ? Is it being bought outright ?

Original poster

Icedlatteplease · 12/09/2023 09:38

When she hits uni, it's fine she can afford it solo on student finance. Its before then that is problematic

OP posts:

Fourmagpies · 12/09/2023 09:39

@Icedlatteplease bless her; it must be so hard for her (actually, for you all). Kids are amazingly resilient in some of the worst situations, but they shouldn't have to be.

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