Confused about UC for disabled son

JB10

Hi All,
my son is 20 in 3 weeks. Currently receive CHB, WTC, CTC for him and he gets Enhanced care and mobility on PIP. 
CHB, WTC and CTC will stop around his birthday .
he has CP and also deaf with no speech.
we have been told will need to claim UC but also that he will not qualify as he is at college ( non advanced.. more life skills type course) .
Have also been advised to claim new style esa credits only ( which he won’t qualify for but will get a WCA ) then apply for UC but ask for it not to be paid pending the WCA . 
Surely he cannot be entitled to nothing  . Unsure what to do next . 
Can he get a WCA under UC whilst at college . ?
Thanks

Pippa_Alumni

Hi @JB10, and a warm welcome to the community!

Thanks for sharing this with us. Hopefully some of our experienced members will be in touch soon and able to advise!

JB10

Thanks. It’s all very confusing !

Eadiesmummy1

hello and welcome to the board. you would be better off using an online benefits calculator, just google and input everything into the form and it will give you a better insight to what he can get xx 

poppy123456

Hi,

A student can't claim UC unless they have a LCW and claim PIP. Claiming PIP doesn't automatically give a student LCW. Using a benefits calculator in this situation wouldn't work.

JB10

One of the other students on his course is in exactly same situation with same disabilities . She is a a few weeks older and has had been notified that she has been awarded £251 per month . My son has appt next week at jobcentre for his claim ( they told me I don’t need to take him as I am his appointee ... that didn’t sound right so he’s coming with me)

poppy123456

UC and students is a minefield. Good luck and i hope you get some answers.

[Deleted User]

Hi @JB10

Most college students can't get ESA / UC -  but there is an exception for  students who have a disability benefit, and also for students under 21 on a non-advanced course . With UC, there is no assumption that a student has a limited capability for work until the work capability assessment is done - so, I think that it is possible that your son won't get paid his UC until this assessment is done. At that point, he should be paid arrears from the start of the claim.

Gill_Scope

JB10

Hi we went today for his appt . Was out in 30 mins! She said he would usually need another appt with a work coach but spoke to one when we were there who has added to his claim that he is not required for any looking for work commitments . 
Advised 1st payment date in 4 weeks ( can apply for advance if required) 
need to wait for the LCW form . 
She told me if he has LCWRA this would be backdated to start of claim .

poppy123456

Glad you have it sorted.

Regarding the LCWRA, you were advised incorrectly, i'm afraid. There's a waiting period, which means It's not paid for the first 3 months after sending in the sick/fit notes. If awarded LCWRA then this is paid on month 4 of the claim. Backdated of course, if the decision takes longer than 3 months.

See link and scroll down to "waiting period"

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Universal_Credit_Work_Capability_Assessment

[Deleted User]

Yes, sadly so. Your son will get arrears of thee personal allowance from the start of the clam, but the LCWRA money only kicks in from month four. 

I'm glad that this situation sounds much better than it did before though.

Gill_Scope