UC and non-dependent?

feir

hi, my son gets PIP paid into my account because i handle his money for him. I did think i had claimed UC for him as well but looking back in my journal i see they said he wasn't entitled because he was classed as a non-dependent (my mum died around this time so i think that's why i never noticed).

should i be claiming anything else on his behalf?

Adrian_Scope

Hi @feir. Sorry to read about your mother. 
To answer accurately I'd need a few more details but based off of what you've said it sounds like you need to create a UC claim for your son. 
Can I ask how old he is and whether he is still in school?

bg844

If he is not in education he can apply for UC. Assuming he will be applying for the disability part then he will need to obtain a fit note from your GP, as part of the application process it should ask about health conditions and after you have filled this in it should ask about the dates on the fit note.

After 4 weeks he will be sent a UC50 form which he will then have to return to the assessment provider, with relevant evidence to support his claim. Continue getting fit notes until a decision is made, he will most likely have to attend an assessment and I’m afraid to say the waiting times for these can be lengthy.

Just to add, when applying for UC fit notes do not turn off work search commitments. It is down to the work coaches discretion to do so. As part of reasonable adjustments they may either reduce or turn off completely although they might not do anything and require him to attend appointments.

After the decision on his capability for work if he is awarded LCWRA he will not be expected to look for work so those commitments will be turned off.

He will most likely have to have a face-to-face or telephone appointment to start his UC claim, this is policy and can be from anything from an ID check to discussing his health issues. Please don’t worry about this, work coaches are not heartless and will try and support your son as much as they can until the assessment has taken place.

bg844

I understand you want to be his appointee, PIP is separate to UC. To start the process to be his appointee for UC you apply as if you are him with his details but giving your phone number. Once the application has been submitted and you have access to the journal leave a message under payments stating that your son is incapable of managing his own affairs and you wish to be his appointee. Someone will contact you. Another member with experience done this and the appointee status was granted quite quickly.

feir

Adrian_Scope said:

Hi @feir. Sorry to read about your mother. 
To answer accurately I'd need a few more details but based off of what you've said it sounds like you need to create a UC claim for your son. 
Can I ask how old he is and whether he is still in school?

he's 22, and not in college. he wants to get a job. i think the last post is what i should do?

bg844

he's 22, and not in college. he wants to get a job. i think the last post is what i should do?

You can work and get LCW/LCWRA. If he was awarded that he would have a work allowance of £573 presuming that he’s living at home like you said. This means he can earn up to this amount before any deductions and any further earnings will be deducted as 55p per £1 he earns. This could provide a good income for him so well done for him wanting to work, be aware that if he started work whilst waiting for an assessment the earnings might close his claim (6 months of £0 UC payments) as a normal single job seeker does not have a work allowance. I’m not putting him off but just warning you whilst you make a decision on what’s best.

I would apply ASAP.