PIP and ESA

[KOKOagainandagain]

DS2 has just been awarded PIP - enhanced rate living and standard rate mobility. He transferred from DLA to PIP now that he is 16. He is at 6th form college f/t. Can I also claim ESA for him? DS1 has PIP and ESA but I think the rules may have changed since he was a teen and I'm confused.

UC replaced income based ESA, and whilst it is possible to claim UC for young people still in education it is more difficult than it used to be. Contact explain it better than I can, here.

As well as Contact’s website here is their booklet explaining it.

Thanks. Given that the transfer from DLA to PIP took the best part of 10 months from initially completing the forms, his course had already started by the time he received the PIP decision. I had pessimistically assumed that his PIP application wouldn't be successful and that DLA would stop so I was obsessed with/focused on the loss of the money and whether I could face an appeal. In that context, delay seemed good as I thought I would only get DLA until PIP was refused.

I was vaguely aware of the rule change but didn't realise its full impact. DS1 has never transferred over to UC despite being told he 'may' be entitled to more money - I avoid communication with the DLA unless absolutely necessary.

It seems I should have got DS2 a work capacity assessment before his course started. I assume establishing this through a credit only ESA application - which if I understand things correctly (big if) would mean he qualified as a disabled student and so would be exempt from restrictions to receiving UC whilst receiving education - would be pointless at this stage?

It wouldn’t necessarily be pointless. Personally I think if would be a good idea to establish it now in case DS changes course, goes on to further study or for afterwards.

My son is 15 and I have just received a form asking me if I want to be an appointee, assuming he will have to apply for PIP soon. He is also ASD
do I need to do this also? I am not quite sure what it is all about either.
what is a work capability assessment.?

A work capability assessment is to establish whether someone has a limited capability for work or limited capability for work related activity.

Whether you need to pursue a credits only claim once DS is 16 in order 5o establish LCW/LCWRA depends on DS’s needs. Just because someone has ASD doesn’t automatically mean they will have a LCW/LCWRA.

Thank you, I will look into this, he definitely needs a lot of support