What benefits may my son be entitled to?

humbug
humbug Online Community Member Posts: 29 Contributor
edited August 2018 in Benefits and income
Hi, I would like some advice on behalf of my son who has just been diagnosed with Autism at the age of 43. He has struggled most of his adult life with learning disabilities, because of this I have had to give him support to manage his everyday needs. This includes his finances, he has just been awarded pip& he also receives esa. I don't think he is getting all he is entitled to, I just wondered wether I could get some advice please on what benefits he may be entitled to. I am his full time carer I don't get paid for this as I get state pension. Thanks humbug.

Comments

  • Liam_Alumni
    Liam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 1,087 Empowering
    Hi @humbug,

    Welcome to Scope's online community! It's great to have you on board.

    Have you tried our online benefits checker? This may give you an idea of what benefits your son may be entitled to.

    I hope this helps. Do let us know if you have any other questions!
  • humbug
    humbug Online Community Member Posts: 29 Contributor
    Hi, yes I have looked at that I answered all the questions & the amount it came back with was nothing like what he is receiving. All this is new to me, all I want is to make sure he is getting the right entitlement. Just wondered wether I should go to citizens advice?????
  • Liam_Alumni
    Liam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 1,087 Empowering
    Hi @Humbug,

    Yes, your local Citizens Advice will be able to tell you what benefits you may be entitled to. :) Hopefully they can help clarify things for you!
  • humbug
    humbug Online Community Member Posts: 29 Contributor
    Thank you Liam, it's like being on a road with no directions on how to reach your destination. Because my son is unable to do this himself that I have to. This site has been like a life line thrown to us, it's mentioned things that I was in aware of. Thank you all who have contributed. ?
  • Liam_Alumni
    Liam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 1,087 Empowering
    You're very welcome! We're happy to help! :) 
  • atlas46
    atlas46 Online Community Member Posts: 817 Pioneering
    Hi @humbug

    Nice to meet you.

    Try giving MENCAP helpline a ring tel: 0808 808 1111.

    I've found them very helpful over the years.

    Ask if they have a local support group and local Welfare Rights Officer.

    Please let us know how you get on.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    More information would be needed to be able to advise you further. Does he live alone, or with a partner? Does he claim Contribution based ESA or Income related ESA? If you don't know then the easiest way to answer is by stating how much ESA he gets.

    What PIP award does he have? Daily living, mobility?
  • humbug
    humbug Online Community Member Posts: 29 Contributor
    Hi, he does live alone he gets Esa £113 weekly. He has just been awarded p.i.p enhanced. I'm his carer but don't get paid because I'm on state pension, not that it matters because I don't want paying. 
  • humbug
    humbug Online Community Member Posts: 29 Contributor
    Atlas 46, nice to meet you, Thank you so much for your advice?
  • atlas46
    atlas46 Online Community Member Posts: 817 Pioneering
    Hi @humbug

    Your most welcome.

    Do you get Pension Credit?

    If not try your local Age UK, for help to see if you have entitlement, there are thousand of people not claiming, that should.
  • humbug
    humbug Online Community Member Posts: 29 Contributor
    Hi atlas46, not claiming anything both my husband & myself are on pensions.
  • atlas46
    atlas46 Online Community Member Posts: 817 Pioneering
    Hi

    Well worth contacting your local Age UK, to check if you can get Pension Credit.

    They receive grant funding, from government, because millions of pounds are unclaimed.

    Let us know how you both get on, a married couple would get £250 per week, this includes the state pension in payment.

    Then there is a savings allowance.

    Good luck.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    humbug said:
    Hi, he does live alone he gets Esa £113 weekly. He has just been awarded p.i.p enhanced. I'm his carer but don't get paid because I'm on state pension, not that it matters because I don't want paying. 
    That doesn't seem enough of ESA to me. I'd advice him to ring ESA and ask to be re-assessed for the Income Related top up. Please be aware that by doing this if his area is a full Universal Credit area then he will be asked to apply for this because of the top up of Income Related.

    If it is a full UC area then i'd advise him to get further advice from his local CAB.

  • humbug
    humbug Online Community Member Posts: 29 Contributor
    Hi poppy123456, Thank you for your advice it's been very helpful. I will go to citizens advice bureau on Monday....now armed with information to ask about...I will let you know the outcome.....Thank you so much.?
  • humbug
    humbug Online Community Member Posts: 29 Contributor
    Hi poppy123456, just want to say Thank so much for your help, citizens advice bureau confirmed that my son should be getting more benefits so the DWP are sending the necessary forms out. Can't thank you enough,.?
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    You're very welcome @humbug always happy to help! :) 
  • Yadnad
    Yadnad Posts: 2,884 Championing
    atlas46 said:
    Hi

    Well worth contacting your local Age UK, to check if you can get Pension Credit.

    They receive grant funding, from government, because millions of pounds are unclaimed.

    Let us know how you both get on, a married couple would get £250 per week, this includes the state pension in payment.

    Then there is a savings allowance.

    Good luck.
    That is a minimum. Other premiums could well be added to it, Carers premium if they are entitled but don't receive it, disability premium if they are in receipt of PIP or AA.

    For a couple both receiving the lowest rate of AA and each claims to care for each other for 35 hours a week, then Pension Credit would top up their existing income excluding any disability benefits to just over £500 a week plus their disability benefits.

    As you say there are £millions sitting there every year for Pension Credit claimants that people just don't bother putting in a claim for. 
  • Kiki23
    Kiki23 Online Community Member Posts: 53 Contributor
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/46999/what-benefits-may-my-son-be-entitled-to

    Hi @humbug. I just happened to come by your post regarding you not claiming carers allowance for your son because you receive state pension and wanted to ask you if you've heard of an "Underlying entitlement" of carers allowance???

    An "Underlying entitlement" refers to a situation where a carer meets all the criteria for Carer's Allowance but is not actually paid the benefit, often due to other income or overlapping benefits they receive such as state pension.

    This underlying entitlement can be a "passport" to other benefits. For example, it might increase your means-tested benefits like Pension Credit or council tax support or allow you to claim new benefits you weren't eligible for before

    It might be something to look in to if your not on it already

    Anyway just thought id share 😊

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