Disabled 17 year old and ESA claim

bonjen3

Can anyone enlighten me as Im sure I've been told incorrect info at the job centre. My son is 17 years old , he is autistic and receives middle rate DLA and low rate mobility. I work part time and claim carers allowance for him.
My son will be starting a part time access course at a local college at the end of August. I have been told that ESA no longer exists for 16-18 year olds, but surely he must be entitled to some financial help?

robpw2

yes he gets dla middle rate and low rate mobility and you get carers allowance... what money would you like for him to get whilst at college ?

could he not get a part time job ?

bonjen3

no he can't get a part time job, he is severly autistic, he would need a carer to attend "work" with him, whois going to pay for that? The course at college is an access level course - life skills that type of thing

robpw2

bonjen3 wrote: »

no he can't get a part time job, he is severly autistic, he would need a carer to attend "work" with him, whois going to pay for that? The course at college is an access level course - life skills that type of thing

who is attending college with him ... is somoene paying for that ??

bonjen3

I'm not sure what that has got to do with it robpw2, but yes he is supported by a worker at college, just like all his disabled classmates are, by support workers funded by social work department.

Penny-Pincher!!

bonjen3 wrote: »

Can anyone enlighten me as Im sure I've been told incorrect info at the job centre. My son is 17 years old , he is autistic and receives middle rate DLA and low rate mobility. I work part time and claim carers allowance for him.
My son will be starting a part time access course at a local college at the end of August. I have been told that ESA no longer exists for 16-18 year olds, but surely he must be entitled to some financial help?

Do you get any tax credits for him or child benefit?

If he receives DLA at that rate, isn't it about £70pw?

Tehya

robpw2 wrote: »

yes he gets dla middle rate and low rate mobility and you get carers allowance... what money would you like for him to get whilst at college ?

could he not get a part time job ?

I think that's a tad harsh. Her son is severely limited in what he could do and may well not be able to do any work. I know I couldn't keep another (almost) adult without putting severe stress on the rest of the family finances.

DLA is not a benefit for normal day to day living expenses rather it's intended to help with the extra costs that disability brings. As for getting CA that's an income replacement of £58ish because the person can't work due to caring, CA is for the carer to live off not for feeding, clothing etc the cared for.

OP - Have a benefits check and see if you can still get child benefit and child tax credits as it can carry on whilst he's at college but there are rules, I know one is based on the time spent studying but I don't know how many hours is needed.
I would try one of the online calculators. These are two I know of, I prefer the government one as it's always been closest.

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DoItOnlineByCategory/DG_172666

bonjen3

DLA is not classed as an "income" it is to cover the additional costs that his disability brings .

Penny-Pincher!!

If its a full-time course, then OP should still be able to receive child benefit and child tax credits. All the whilst she's receiving these for him, I'm sure he won't be entitled to any other benefits other than his DLA as he's still counted as dependant.

bonjen3

Thanks Tehya for trying to help, I think I'll try and find a disabled friendly forum , I can't be bothered trying to justify why my son's DLA money shouldn't be classed as an income. Perhaps I should just put my son in residential care , costing the country £1000's each week for his 24/7 care needs, instead of trying to find out which measley benefit he is legally entitled to claim

Penny-Pincher!!

Ive just noted you've said part-time course. Are you sure its PT as most FT courses at college are only about 15hrs a week?