Pip appointee

Wellspring · January 18

Can mother appointee use pip of 16 years old for utility bills shopping and household item as best intrest as he is living in family home, or does it have to be a certain percentage we can use??

Kimi87 · January 18

Personally in my opinion I'd say no because that's what child related benefits are for.

It's down to the adults to pay for food, utility bills and household items.

Not the child receiving money to meet the extra costs of having a disability.

Obviously if he's on a special diet etc then it wouldn't be unreasonable to use his PIP specifically for things like that.

Once he is older and an adult & child benefits have ended, then yes it would be reasonable for the appointee to use some of his PIP income towards his living costs.

Wellspring · January 18

12 sitesYes, as a mother and appointed representative (appointee) for a 16-year-old receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP), you can use the funds for shopping and household items, provided these expenditures are in the best interests of your child. Key Rules for Appointees

Best Interests Standard: You are legally responsible for managing and spending the benefit in a way that best serves the young person’s needs and quality of life.
Broad Use of Funds: PIP is not "ring-fenced." While it is intended to help with the extra costs of a long-term health condition or disability, there are no strict rules on what it must be spent on, as long as it benefits the claimant.
Permitted Spending: Common uses include:
- Household Items: Items that make the child's life easier or support their disability needs.
- Daily Living: Paying for shopping, bills, and everyday activities.
- Quality of Life: Discretionary spending on hobbies, leisure activities, or special purchases.

SwiftFox · January 18

🤔Why ask then

Wellspring · January 18

Just want to make sure is it correct as Kimmi has gave a valid point that u should use childbenifit for food, but just wanted to see how other people are spending the money

Littlefatfriend · January 18

It's my understanding that as long as we(they)'re entitled to it, we(they or you as proxy) can do whatever we like with it.

Actually monitoring and controlling what it's spent on would be hugely expensive and complicated. It can probably still be collected as cash from post-offices. It's not means-tested, which makes it unusual, but making people only spend it on adaptive equipment etc would be well beyond what Big Brother is yet capable of.

Some people choose to hugely limit other activities in order that they can enjoy an occasional indulgence.

I certainly wouldn't worry about it but happily concede I'm not an expert.

🤔

MW123 · January 18

@Wellspring

PIP doesn’t have any rules about fixed percentages or exactly what it must be spent on. As an appointee, your role is simply to use it in the 16 year old’s best interests and to make sure it supports their day to day life.

If they are living in the family home, it’s completely fine for some of their PIP to go towards food, utilities, or household items they use and benefit from. It doesn’t have to be restricted only to disability specific things, it’s about what helps them live comfortably and well.

Child Benefit is just a general contribution towards the cost of raising a child. It isn’t ring fenced for food or anything specific, and there’s no rule saying it has to be used before PIP.

Everyone manages their household budget in their own way, but legally the only requirement for PIP is that it’s spent in the 16 year old’s best interests.

Pip appointee

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