I gave just discovered that my 24 year old is not building NI contributions.
DC lives with us. They are autistic with severe planning and organisation difficulties and social anxiety. They are unable to work and may never work full time, though we hope that eventually some very part time work may be possible, but it would have to be solitary - likely a little cash in hand gardening or pet sitting type work. They cannot manage high levels of expectation from others on them and spent their late teens and early 20s in their darkened bedroom with severe depression and anxiety.
DC was assessed at 20 for UC and placed in the support group. Eventually DC was awarded LCWRA. At the same time DC was awarded Pip high level for both (as had not left home unaccompanied for several years by then).
However because they do not go out anywhere or spend anything they quickly amassed too much capital and once we reported 16k in their account their UC was stopped. They still get pip.
We increased the rent they pay us (now 500 a month which covers all bills, food etc) but they have 23k as of now. Unless their pip is reduced next time it is renewed I don't see how we can reduce this significantly without it being perceived as deliberate deprivation of assets.
Anyway I just found out that they will not be getting NI contributions during the period since their UC claim was closed. This seems unfair as DC is still just as disabled and still eligible for that benefit in every way except financially - if there was a nil payment UC for example.
What can we do to ensure DC isn't left without access to state support when elderly? DC cannot advocate for themself and would probably starve if left without finances once we are gone and unable to advocate on their behalf.
I realise we could set up a private pension - could we pay in a big chunk to reduce DC's capital below 16k without that being deprivation of assets? And then make a new UC claim? I am really anxious about this - we have missed 3 years contributions already.