Benefit advice: Daughter who has Autism and mental health difficulties

seaside_10

I wonder if anyone could give me advice please. I have a daughter who has Autism and mental health difficulties. She currently has dla but are waiting for the decision on  pip as she is now 16. We have been advised that as we aren't entitled to tax credits that she would be better off if we claimed esa for her and forfeighted her child benefit. Has anyone done this? Thank you in advance. 

poppy123456

HI and welcome,

I'm one of the community champions here on scope and i'm here to help and advise others.

May i ask if she's had her face to face assessment yet for the PIP claim?

seaside_10

Hi she is still in full time education at a specialist provision. She does live with us and she hasn't had a face to face we had a letter to say that they had all the information they needed to make a decision. 

poppy123456

Thanks for that information. Full time students and benefits are very complicated. New claims for Income Related ESA are no longer possible because all areas are now a Universal Credit area BUT because she has parental support she's unable to claim for UC because she doesn't yet have limited capability for work(LCW). Fill time students of her age can only claim UC if they are claiming PIP/DLA and they have already been assessed as having LCW.

There is a way around this and that's for her to claim New style ESA BUT because this is based on NI Contributions from working in the previous 2 tax years then she won't receive any money while she waits for the assessment to determine whether or not she has LCW. All she will receive is NI credits towards her state pension. She will need a fit note from her GP to be able to claim this.

Once the decision's been made, if she's given LCW then she will be able to claim Universal Credit and start to receive money each month. It's very complicated and not an easy process but definitely possible. Hope this helps.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance-detailed-guide#the-new-style-esa-process-what-to-expect

This CPAG link explains it in more detail.

https://cpag.org.uk/welfare-rights/resources/article/universal-credit-and-disabled-students

thespiceman

Hello   @seaside_10    Pleased to meet you.

Thank you for joining and sharing.

I am one of the team of community champions.  We help, support members.

Please if I can advise, suggest if your daughter is not receiving any support for her mental health and autism, please consider this.

Using mental health charities can be beneficial in a situation like this. Please can I add many have floating support, welfare, benefit advice and guidance.

Would support your daughter going through this. As it can be stressful and an anxious time.

https://www.richmondfellowship.org.uk.

https://www.mind.org.uk.

https://www.rethink.org.

Last one is an advocate charity. helps on your behalf with any medical professionals . Speak for you and advises you.

Please you can self refer or speak to your GP.

Sorry to say not in all areas.

I have mental health issues myself happy to advise be supportive any questions.

Have knowledge, expertise and qualifications in not only mental health but diet nutrition and have an addiction history.

Please if I can ever help. Please get in touch.

Please also my lovely friend @poppy123456 has a wealth of knowledge expertise , please consider her advice.

Pleasure to meet you.

Please take care.

@thespiceman

seaside_10

Thank you Poppy. So will the pip decision also mean she has a limited capacity to work? Or is that a separate assessment? Thanks for your advice I will read the links. 

poppy123456

seaside_10 said:

Thank you Poppy. So will the pip decision also mean she has a limited capacity to work? Or is that a separate assessment? Thanks for your advice I will read the links. 

No problem. No, a PIP award doesn't mean she has LCW because they are 2 completely different things. People claim PIP and work.