son turning 19 in July. What will happen to my Universal Credits, very worried

Michann1719
Michann1719 Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
in Benefits and income

Hi - my is 19 soon (July), has full PIP & EHCP. Autism & ADHD.

I am his carer, only work part-time, and his appointee, single parent. I have recently seen that UNIVERSAL CREDIT child and disabled element will be stopped for me. He was going to go back to college to do level 3 non-advanced in his course, but upon looking, it seems he cannot claim UNIVERSAL CREDIT for himself. I’m extremely worried as financially I cannot cope without these benefits. He has been looking for work, but like a lot of college leavers, has not been lucky. Is there a way he can still continue his course and get UNIVERSAL CREDIT? Also, do I lose my UNIVERSAL CREDIT entirely?

Thanks

Comments

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Community Member Posts: 8,807 Championing
    edited June 5

    Many families struggle financially with the transition from dependant children to non dependant adults within the welfare system.

    Your UC won't stop entirely, only the child & disabled child elements.

    As for him claiming UC in his own right, in his circumstances it's a complex area to give advice on so I'd recommend contacting Disability Rights UK who have a Disabled Students Helpline.

    https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/disabled-students-helpline

  • Michann1719
    Michann1719 Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    Thank you for your reply. Will take a look.

    Hoping someone here has navigated through this.

  • oldmanmarple
    oldmanmarple Community Member Posts: 54 Connected

    get him to contribute from his pip

  • ColonelBlink
    ColonelBlink Community Member Posts: 946 Pioneering
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1130005#Comment_1130005

    That's what should happen, it's no different to me giving part of my wages to my mum for my keep ( several years ago 👴).

  • Ikonik
    Ikonik Community Member Posts: 95 Contributor

    Can he claim. LCWRA?

  • SheffieldMan1976
    SheffieldMan1976 Posts: 2,342 Connected

    Yeah get him to chip in from his PIP, maybe £20 a week? That's what Mum used to charge me when I lived at Home.

  • Mr_Shoes_Tied
    Mr_Shoes_Tied Community Member Posts: 123 Empowering

    She'll be losing about £700+ a month when he turns 19, £20 a week is not even going to touch the sides.

    £20 a week is very low

  • justsaying2025
    justsaying2025 Community Member Posts: 69 Contributor

    Hi, I think he will need to make a claim in his own right. If he is a student with a disability then that 'should' mean he is exempt from the normal UC student exclusion. Your entitlement will end on 01.09 as he will turn 19 in July and therefore is no longer a QYP.

    In terms of how to proceed I would follow the advice of kimi87 as the tricky bit is the transition, my understanding is the student needs to be designated LCWRA before 'becoming' a student - which rationally makes sense (if they've already 'written you off' why stop you taking part in education). Hence why I think you need someone with specific expertise in this area. However, what I wanted to say is I think there is a positive route to pursue so try not to worry (I know you will-I'd be the same). Most colleges have dedicated assistance for 'disabled' students as well so that may be an additional resource.

    One thing to consider depending on how diligent your son is (UC claim) would be to consider being the appointee so that you deal with his claim. If he can manage his claim himself I'm personally against the loss of autonomy (you could just assist him) but it really depends on him/you and what's best.

    Best wishes & if it works out there's absolutely nothing stopping him (in terms of benefits) from getting a part-time job while studying (& pay his way). :-)

  • Michann1719
    Michann1719 Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    @Mr_Shoes_Tied yes exactly that. I am his appointee. Losing all that money which helps pay for everything is stressing me to the hills. Even if he leaves college and claims UC it does not add up to what I will lose. As a single parent with a child with disabilities surely there should be more help… My son cannot get an apprenticeship because he does not have 4 GCSE’s Grade 4. He has been looking for work - no luck. I work part time which fits in with college days and get Carers Allowance. I do not want to lose my home. He wanted to continue college until he gets a job but it is not financially possible. How is this fair..?

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Community Member Posts: 8,807 Championing
    edited June 6

    Unfortunately, life is very unfair quite frequently.

    It is difficult financially transitioning from a household of adult & child to adult & adult.

    Your son as an adult should make a contribution to household costs from his income whatever the source, as the child related benefits that would cover those expenses end.

    As additional benefits (aside from him claiming UC in his own right) won't be the answer here, if you haven't already it might be an idea to go through your outgoings and draw up a new budget with the reduced income.

    Money Saving Expert is a great website with lots of ways to save money. There is an extensive forum and loads of general information pages with the best deals on household bills, ways to cut energy use etc.

    If you have any debts then there is lots of free advice on how to manage these best - full & final offers, freezing interest, a more manageable repayment figure etc.

    If losing your home is a possibility, definitely seek professional financial advice.

  • SheffieldMan1976
    SheffieldMan1976 Posts: 2,342 Connected
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1130152#Comment_1130152

    So is even enhanced rate PIP mate.

  • Mr_Shoes_Tied
    Mr_Shoes_Tied Community Member Posts: 123 Empowering
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1130262#Comment_1130262

    I'm sorry I don't understand your point?

  • Mr_Shoes_Tied
    Mr_Shoes_Tied Community Member Posts: 123 Empowering
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1130204#Comment_1130204

    I know a lot of people desperately looking for work and unable to find anything, so I can well imagine how hard your son is finding it.

    Unfortunately I think Kimi is right that it will be a case of looking at where else you and your son can cut back, and looking at ways to try and increase both of your income alongside it. I think there used to be a way to claim UC as a student if he was awarded LCWRA, something about doing a credits-only ESA claim and then once awarded support group claiming UC but I don't know if that is still possible.

  • SheffieldMan1976
    SheffieldMan1976 Posts: 2,342 Connected
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1130785#Comment_1130785

    Perfectly simple.

    They purposely give us crumbs in benefits because they think we'll go out and get a job to supplement our income, not that simple, first you have to get past AI job screening as soon as you declare, which is 99% of the time, instant rejection.

  • wrighty08
    wrighty08 Community Member Posts: 13 Connected

    Im going through this now. Son just turned 19. Hes doing the 2nd year of his course in September. I dont understand any of it. Except losing child and disability element. Hes on high rate pip on both elements. Losing 800+ a month. Single parent to.

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