Young Adult with learning needs - will we be means tested

AlwaysHappy

Hello there, not sure if this is the right place and I am looking a little ahead. I have a son (currently 12) with learning difficulties. I haven't got a crystal ball, but from the position that we are at, I can't see that he will ever be able to live an independent life (I hope I am wrong). My husband and I have been saving as much as we can as we would like to be able to travel when we retire (we have no freedom at present), obviously our son can come with us if he wants,(he is much loved) but looking at the bigger position am concerned that as I suspect he would be needing some form of sheltered housing with support (we are older and there are no siblings/family to help out),have suddenly started questioning if our savings will have to be used to fund this. It certainly would put all our plans into a cocked hat, and I would need to question our frugality if that was the case - might as well loosen the purse strings a bit now.
Any advice greatly appreciated and if I need to go to a different forum, please let me know.

alwaysonthego_2

Does he have a social worker or any type of support outside the family?

Eliza_2

My brother has LD. He lives in supported housing and attends a day centre. Not with my parents though goes 'home' for holidays. Once he became an adult he received benefits based on his own situation as any other adult would, not dependent on my parents. It's plenty for his needs, in fact he's very frugal and has to be persuaded to fork out a bit more - pay for his own round in the pub etc!!!

My parents have made separate provision for him in their wills, you might want to think about that, to ensure that once they've gone, he will have everything he needs/wants. Need to take advice.

However, to answer your question, once he becomes an adult he is assessed by the benefits/ tax etc situation as an independent adult - just like anyone else and being LD makes no difference. Get in touch with Mencap, they have a helpline and website and will be able to advise.

JC9297

Just like to say that Eliza is quite right. We have a 17 year old son who as an adult will need 24 hour support and we are currently working on the transition to Adult Services. We decided some time ago that when he is an adult he should leave home and live independently of us (like any other young man), with us still being involved in all planning and choices for him.

Your money will not be expected to support him, so enjoy your retirement, you will have earned it!:)

Mojisola

It would be worth getting some advice about setting up a trust for him in your wills.

AlwaysHappy

alwaysonthego wrote: »

Does he have a social worker or any type of support outside the family?

No, he doesn't have either, which is very hard!

AlwaysHappy

Many thanks for the responses, that has put my mind at rest a little bit. We really must get around to writing wills, know its really important but we have been a little sticking our heads in the ground - always get stuck on the question who would look after him in a worst case scenario. The suggestion to contact mencap seems like a good idea - will add it to my growing list of things to do!!

Eliza_2

Glad you feel a bit better. My parents took advice from Mencap and others re their wills, but in the end made a special arrangement of a trust and independent legal advice. They also gave my other brother and me a considerable sum of money to be spent on whatever additional costs my brother would have, really whatever he wants. So if he wants the latest tv (he's an addict!!) or other electronic gizmo, or a holiday with the centre the money is there for us to use for his benefit. That sounds rambling, but the idea is that either before or after their deaths, he should want for nothing.

This has worked well and we're more than happy to go with it, like your son, he is so much loved by us all - and also completely adores his family. We won't let him down. I gather you don't have any other children to support him in this way - is there another trusted adult who could act for him?

The Mencap site also has a good forum, masses of other parents in the same situation as you are.

Eliza