Leaving school and claiming benefits

[LisaJool]

Ds is due to leave school next year and will be claiming benefits (he isn't able to work). He gets high rate (or is it called enhanced?) PIP now for "an ongoing period". I'm just wondering what happens when I make the UC claim for him? Does he have to undergo a 'fitness to work' assessment even with his PIP award? I'm not sure what other benefits he's entitled to? Is ESA still a thing?
TIA

New claimants can’t apply for income related ESA now, it is now all under UC. DS, or you if you are his appointee, can apply for UC. He would need a limited capability to work assessment. PIP is completely separate with different criteria to LCW/LCWRA.

You say DS is due to leave school, does he have an EHCP? If so, that can continue until 25 or 26.

Depending on who else is in the house you may be entitled to a reduction in council tax. If DS is 18+ and lives in the same house as you you can be disregarded as a carer for DS. If DS has SMI he can also be disregarded, so depending on who else is in the house you may be entitled to a 25% or 50% discount on your council tax.

@Thatsnotmycar thank you for the reply, that is very helpful. We are not in England so the Statement only goes up until the school term after 19th birthday. He'll nearly be 19 when he finishes so I just suppose he'll be at home. I used to have a social worker who talked me through all of these things but she was given another trusts caseload and said she'd discharge us as we were coping well!

You need to ask for a social care assessment for DS again. There may be access to day facilities or DS could have a PA.