ESA for Disabled 16 Year Old?

LocoLoco wrote: »

Hello, I wonder if anyone can help me out as I'm confusing myself

My son turns 16 next month and is in receipt of DLA (higher rate care, lower rate mobility). He should continue to be eligible for PIP as he has complex needs and all are expected to be lifelong.

A friend told me I should look into him claiming Income Support for himself when he turns 16, which I did and and it seems that now he would be claiming ESA. I understand that involves some tests and assessments regarding work capability. He's not currently receiving any kind of educational provision (we're waiting for the LA to sort out home tuition) although I am hoping he will be starting college in September (in a supported learning unit doing a course for people with learning difficulties to help prepare for adulthood).

I assume that him claiming ESA would make a difference to the amount of Child Tax Credits I claim on his behalf but I haven't been able to find anything yet that would tell me how much by.

Basically I'm just wondering whether it's best for him to claim ESA for himself or if it is easier to just carry on as we are.

If anyone can point me in the right direction I'd be very grateful

Many thanks

As long as he remains in full time non advanced education, including home tution then you'll be entitled to claim Child benefit and tax credits for him until he reaches his 20th birthday.

As you claim high rate care for him the you should also be claiming the severe disablity element of child tax credit.

He will not be able to claim ESA in his own right, while you're claiming those benefits.

You can continue to claim Child Benefit and Child Tax Credits until the day before he is twenty, if he is on an approved course - my son is on a Foundation Learning course for SEN. However, if you claim ESA for him, all child benefits will stop.

Generally, it is worth more money to continue to claim CB and CTC rather than ESA.

If you have not already been asked, you are likely to receive a letter from the DWP about whether he is to manage his own money or if you are to be his appointee. My son cannot manage money due to his severe learning disability, so I am his appointee.

Regarding ESA, once your son claims it (or you claim it on his behalf), he will be on an assessment rate for thirteen weeks. This is around £57 a week. At some point, it will be decided whether your son is to be in the support group or WRAG (work related activity group). If this takes longer than 13 weeks, any additional money will be backdated to week 13. You may be asked to provide sick notes (I think that they are now called fit noted).

Your son may be asked to attend an assessment, and if you are his appointee, you can attend and answer for him if necessary. Occasionally paper assessments are made.

If your son attends college, he may be able to apply for a grant from the college. Some colleges only give grants to those on both DLA or PIP and ESA (not any child related benefits). Once my son transfers to ESA later this year, he can apply for a grant from his college, which is £1000 a year. He will receive this in additon to PIP/DLA and ESA. I'm not sure if all colleges offer this, so it's worth asking if nothing is mentioned. There may be other criteria.

Income Support is usually only available to carers or to single parents with children under the age of 5, although everal years ago it was available to people with disabilities. It was replaced, though, by other benefits.

LocoLoco, my youngest is the tallest - 6'3" and still growing! His brother (the one at college) is only 5'1". I still get CB and CTC for my youngest, even though he has been taller than me for a long time now :rotfl: