Benefits for my Nephew

[risingstar]

Can anyone please advise?

My nevvie is 22. He has always had learning difficulties and health problems. He lives at home with mum and dad. He did some connexions type courses/work experience but didn't lead to a job. He has been poorly for the last year or so and has now been diagnosed with Chrones Disease. His mum and dad have never claimed benefits for him, on the grounds that he has no NI record. However, they are now struggling financially themselves. Essentially this young man has no money to call his own.

Can anyone advise? Would he be entitled to income support on grounds of ill health ( he is unable to work and not well enough to get bus to next town on his own due to this and his learning difficulties and therefore can't sign on for benefits in the normal way.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

i think that his mum and dad should go to the citizen's advice bureau or somewhere like that and find out, they'll know about it

I should check out DLA (Disability Living Allowance). www.entitledto.com might be the place to start.

Hi. I have a disabled 20 year old.
Its worth applying for DLA as he has been ill for 3 months and it's likely that the illness will continue for another 6 months. depending on the rate he may get one of his parent may also claim Carer's Allowance.

DLA is a horrible form to fill in so ideally his mum and dad should ask a welfare rights worker to help. the Citizen's Adive Bureau or local councillor can put them in touch with one.

If he got DLA and Carer's it would make a bif difference to their finances. Also, DLA is a 'gateway' benefit to lots of other support that he may need in the future. DLA does not affect the household income calculations (i.e. it's excluded when totting up the household's eligibility for other benefits.

As he has learning difficulties his parents can ask the DWP to be appointed his 'DWP Appointee'. That way he doesn't have to fill in forms himself and his parents can act on his behalf.

Hope he feels better soon.

Ooops - mwant to say that he wil fall under the 'diasability in youth' rules so does not have to have paid NI stamps. he will almost certainly be entitled to Income support and possible Incapacity Benefit (if it's still available to new claimaints????).

Thanks all, that sounds promising. I really didn't think that it sounded right that he was entitled to nothing at all, just that mum and dad had always looked after him. as things stand though, he has no pocket money as such and is not able to buy his own clothes etc.

I think I'll have to be bossy aunt for a bit. hopefully his physical problems will pick up now that he has finally been diagnosed( he has been ill for so long though-suspect the docs thought the weight loss was due to mental health problems). I really can't see him working long term though due to his other problems. I think it will help all round if they can get a bit more income in to help out.

Hi
If he can't get a bus on his own (and neither can mine) then he'll probably qualify for Low rate mobility component of DLA. I should think his learning disabilities require his parent's to gve him substantial and frequent help, which will probably entitle him to Middle rate care DLA too. About £250 a month plus about £49 Income support and Carer's allownace (don't know the amount as I don't claim it).

We love our kid to bits but somethimes havig a disabled child really grinds you down. Perhaps a bit of fresh energy from you is what's required.
Best wishes