what support for disabled adult child still in education

[Southshore18]

My eldest is almost 18. At a specialist college doing life skills with an echp. They are on high rate PIP

what financial support is available after they turn 20 when we cannot claim CB and UC for them anymore. I hope they can stay in education for a bit longer but with me only working very reduced hours as they cannot be left alone at home at all, I wonder if we have to pull the out of education so they can get a work capability assessment and claim UC in their own right? Anyone any insight.

Some disabled young people, or their appointee, can claim UC whilst in full-time education in a limited number of situations. They need to be in receipt of PIP.

For those claiming before the September following their 19th birthday, LCW/LCWRA needs to be established prior to the start of the course. This is done via a credits only new-style ESA claim.

From the September following the young person’s 19th birthday, the rules are different for those in non-advanced education. LCWRA doesn’t necessarily need to be established prior to the start of the course, you would just need to prove the course is not incompatible with any work related requirements on DC’s individual claim (which may be none due to disability). However, it is still worthwhile making a credits only new-style ESA claim now.

For the full picture, those claiming following the young person’s 19th birthday who are in advanced education also need to establish LCW/LCWRA prior to the start of the course.

Contact has information about UC and young people here and here.

DC will only be a qualifying young person on your UC claim up to and including the 31st September following their 19th birthday. It cannot continue until 20 unless they happen to have their birthday then too.

Have you had social care assessments? An assessment of DC’s needs and a carer’s assessment for you. Depending on their needs, if you haven’t already, you might want to look at CHC funding too.

Why do they need to pull out of education to apply for Uc and LCWRA?

OP probably thought that because some disabled claimants in full-time education need to establish LCWRA before the start of the course. OP probably didn’t realise this doesn’t apply to disabled students in full-time non-advanced education from the September following their 19th birthday or that even if it did need to be, she could do that via a credits only New Style ESA claim.

I wasn't sure they can apply for UC if they are still in full time education and it seems to be complicated. Since we cannot claim UC for them as a child anymore, DC will need to secure an income (won't be independent ever and will never be able to work).

@flawlessflipper that's really useful. Thank you so much. need some time to digest all this info.

DC had a social care assessment but as there are no safeguarding concerns, we don't qualify for help. I know I could push more but I know nothing will come out of it other than stress. I tried to get a carers assessment from the LA but get nowhere. I have decided to give up on that. I just need to ensure DC gets UC once I cannot claim for them anymore and then we are good to survive. I ick my battles

If you ever change your mind about social care, not having safeguarding concerns does not disqualify you. DC has eligible needs. You are a carer.

Once DC is 18, you can be disregarded as a carer for council tax purposes. If that means there is no-one else in the household who is eligible to pay council tax, you can receive a 50% discount. If it means there is 1 other person eligible to pay council tax, you can receive a 25% discount.

Also for council tax, although not relevant while DC is in full-time education since full-time students aren’t eligible to pay council tax, when DC is no longer in full-time education, depending on their needs, they may be exempt under the SMI rules.