Disabled 17 year old and ESA claim

24skins

Lindyloo and the other helpful posters have given you all the information you need, I think you've been given duff advice regarding when you could claim, there's no time bar or age limit for claiming ESA that I know of, if you're eligible you're eligible and that's that.

Do bear in mind that if you receive CTC/CB claiming ESA on behalf of your son may make you worse off as a family - do check first.

robpw2

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

He's autistic, is disabled sufficiently to warrant both care & mobility DLA, and is going to college to study life skills .... Do you really think he'd be capable of independently undertaking a paper round or working productively on a computer?

This is a question about benefit possibilities. Don't turn it into an entitlement rant.

im not turning it into an entitlment rant , i just asked what money she wanted for him whilst he was at college .
i am however questioning why he is "ok" to go to college and study but not to do something jobwise ..

Own_My_Own

robpw2 wrote: »

im not turning it into an entitlment rant , i just asked what money she wanted for him whilst he was at college .
i am however questioning why he is "ok" to go to college and study but not to do something jobwise ..

Read the post before you comment !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He is doing a part time life skills course.

These courses try to help students with disabilities do things you and I take for granted.

jackieb

My son is 19 and has asperger's. He gets middle rate care DLA. He applied for ESA and was told he couldn't claim as he was at college.

24skins

jackieb wrote: »

My son is 19 and has asperger's. He gets middle rate care DLA. He applied for ESA and was told he couldn't claim as he was at college.

If he was on a standard college course that anyone can attend then he can't claim ESA; however, if a child is on a disability specific course (often called a link course and generally only open to children that previously attended a special needs school) then they can claim ESA.

jackieb

24skins wrote: »

If he was on a standard college course that anyone can attend then he can't claim ESA; however, if a child is on a disability specific course (often called a link course and generally only open to children that previously attended a special needs school) then they can claim ESA.

That'll explain it.

Penny-Pincher!!

robpw2 wrote: »

I went to college and got no money from anyone , there was no ema , didnt get dla and i had to support myslef ,
the majority of other students at college will get no extra money ,

they will have to get part -time jobs or their parents will have to help them

just because her son has got autism why has she written him off and assumes that he can get no part-time job her first defence was he will need care whilst their .

i am sure he could do something perhaps a paper round or working from home using the computer etc .

WTH Rob! What is up with you today? I think you're pretty awful today and maybe you should think a little before posting.

Tehya

I'm glad to see some real advice on here now. In my other post I wrote a 'TAD harsh' I actually wanted to put I thought it was a rotten thing to write but really dislike engaging in arguments online so was trying to keep the peace.

After seeing what that same person has written again I'm absolutely flabbergasted by their attitude to those who have autism.

OP: Please take no notice of that person at all but definitely take 24skins advice about claiming ESA. The answer can only be yes or no.

bonjen3

robpw2 - I see you have a really high post count, so am assuming you try to help a lot of people out, for this I commend you, but I think you should perhaps take some time out to understand autism - not all autistic people are like "rainman" or able to talk / read / write etc. If my son was ever going to be capable of a doing paper round or even turning a computer on independently then I would be one happy Mother, At this moment in time he can't even manage to dress himself independently or put a pair of shoes on, fill a kettle with water to make a cup of tea. If you know of any jobs that someone who functions at around age 4 level then please do let me know and I'll have my son first in line for an interview, I have not written my son off, I try every day in life to teach him new skills but I am also a realist and with the best will in the world there is no way he will ever be able to do any independent employment.

merlin68

I think you have to be 18 to claim esa as they expect you to stay at at school.
Ignore the nasty comments, my friends son has severe autism and no way would be able to work his 18 now and very violent. With no langage skills.
Him working would be dangerous for the other employees and himself.
If his in education you can carry on claiming tax credits and child benifit which would be worth more than the esa, i think there only about £80 a week.