Uc claimant with 17yr old N.E.E.T on claim

periwinkle · February 25

hi all

Recently my child s college stated they could no longer support them and therefore they had to leave. They were aware they’d been referred for neurodivergent assessment but without funding they can’t support. When I advised uc they’d had to leave college due to their health they immediately stopped my child element part of claim. Dr has now given me a fitnote dated the day they left college. Has anybody had any experience of this situation? Any ideas on what happens now? Obviously I still have the same outgoings as I did before they left college so I’m concerned I’ll struggle financially. Thanks in advance.

anisty · February 25

No experience of this situation but was the college managing your child's needs before the diagnosis?!

Has the diagnosis caused your child/you to ask for extra support that they cannot provide?

There are questions that need answers here (for you, not me)

If no additional support has been requested, then there is no reason for the college to refuse to educate your child when they previously did?

If additional support has been requested - is it reasonable and are the college's reasons for refusing reasonable and legal?

Is there any middle ground that could be negotiated with the college that could allow education to continue?

periwinkle · February 25

…they’re still awaiting diagnosis. Our Dr wrote to college explaining this could take time and outlining the difficulties they have with college. College have said they cannot give further support without diagnosis but that they can return to study after diagnosis and with ehcp in place they’ll get the support they need….meaning they’re pretty much in limbo ‘til diagnosis.

OverlyAnxious · February 25

Sadly, UC are correct, there is no Child Element for a 17 year old while out of education.

There is a potential workaround for this but it's not a quick process. Basically they need to apply for New Style ESA first. They won't get it because they don't have enough NI contributions. But that starts the process of a work capability assessment. Assuming they are classed as not fit to work from the assessment and put in the Support Group, they can then apply for Universal Credit, despite being under 18, and will be put in the LCWRA group because of their work status.

However, if they're expecting to go back to college soon, I don't think that's the best option. Do you have any idea how much longer the wait is likely to be for the diagnosis? If it's not long then I would just wait for it, though I understand that will squeeze finances in the meantime.

I wonder if they would qualify for PIP at all? Again, that's not a quick process though.

periwinkle · February 25

I have now done a pip application for them, unsure how long that will take. I’m starting to think uc are giving me wrong information re this and their fit note. I was also told not to apply for esa as they won’t qualify. Nothing was mentioned re wca. I think I best ring esa. Thanks for your help.

periwinkle · February 25

Thankyou overly anxious, took your advice and have now made an esa claim online for child and uploaded fit note. Hopefully this will start the process of getting some financial help.

Uc claimant with 17yr old N.E.E.T on claim

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