Should I apply for universal credit for my 18 year old?

[Everydayisdolmioday]

Ds is 18. He's been taken off our UC claim because he has left college. With my older son I applied for UC for him, which then stopped when he got a job. But ds is starting university in September. I'm assuming he can't be on UC while at university. Is there anything else I could apply for him? He is getting the higher rate of PIP so we have lost the severely disabled bit of UC as well as the child bit.

Does he have limited capability to work? Is he going to be getting maintenance grants or student loans as these will count as income. There are some limited circumstances in which full time university students can claim UC.

I think you need advice from someone who really understands how disability impacts benefits. Try asking in the sn boards.

He can get UC until he starts university so you might as well

There may be assistance from the university to help him with any equipment he needs, it would be worth speaking to their disability team.

Thats it. Student loans and grants from here, which will he paid to him directly.

As ever try asking Help to Claim:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/contact-us-about-universal-credit/

Assuming claim is for him and not for you? Just wondering with you saying 'we'......if he needs the money to pay his way can he get a small part time job thst aligns ok with his disability.

He can apply for DSA when at university. Not an income but money to support any additional study costs such as specialist computers and software, notetakers for lectures, additional support tutors.

https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa

He could also apply for UC when at university and may stand a chance of getting something because he's already on PIP.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-students

Yes, claim UC, particularly if he receives PIP. It’s worth looking into whether he can still claim at university. There are some rules around disability and being able to continue to claim while in full time education.

He will apply for a maintence loan which will be paid in September. From your post isn't this more about how you can increase your income (as you have lost specific benefits) rather than his.

Following as my DC17 wil be in the same place next year - good luck

Yes, sorry. I've said we as it will be dh and I who will be filling in the forms etc. He can't really get a part time job as he has selective mutism and all jobs that don't require qualifications that I've seen need people who can communicate.

By the time it was awarded it would be taken away again.

He can claim UC now, he will get one or two payments before his course starts.

It is also worth putting in a claim for ESA credits only. If he is awarded LCWRA then he will be eligible to claim UC when he is a student and depending on his income it might top up his loans a bit.

As PP have said, you need to get him assessed asap by the disability office of his uni. I'm in Scotland so the system is slightly different but my DD was awarded mentoring once a week, an autism person to help communicate with staff (sorry I can't remember the name of that person) and some computer equipment.

Same as @Gingerkittykat he should apply for credits only esa. Then if he is given limited capability to work he can still get uc at uni.