17 year old in 6th form ... is he entitled to anything?

Old_Socks_old_Stick

My 17 year old son, he will be 18 in June. He has Autism and we get middle rate care and low rate mobility for him, his DLA is for his lifetime (or until he is reassessed under PIP). He is full time in an Autistic 6th form doing his GCSE's and Independent Living Skills. He will stay there till he 19. Then after that he will go to the local college and again, he will be full time. But apart from his DLA we/he claims nothing else. I was just wondering if there was anything out there he could claim?? I claim child allowance for him but nothing else as we earn more. My son is given a bus pass from the local authority that he uses to get to and from 6th form now that he is travel trained.


So, is there anything else he can claim and if so, where would he go to claim it??


Sorry, but I have no idea about benefits and I don't know who else to ask. Thanks for reading.

missapril75

From memory, under the Income Support system he could have claimed I/S since he was 16 (essentially swapping over from child benefit) - the DLA qualifies him as disabled - and then as a disabled student from 19.

I assume it's the same conditions now but ESA instead instead of I/S.

merlin68

Pretty sure you have to be 18 to claim ESA.

missapril75

merlin68 wrote: »

Pretty sure you have to be 18 to claim ESA.

Just took a quick look and 16-18 disabled/unable to work is still one of those that could qualify for I/S.

System

merlin68 wrote: »

Pretty sure you have to be 18 to claim ESA.

My daughter has been getting ESA since she was 16. It depends on the course he is doing advanced/non advanced as to whether he would qualify.

kingfisherblue

I was asked if my disabled son claimed ESA by his sixth form. He doesn't, as I still receive child benefit and tax credits for him. If he had, his college has a bursary fund for those on ESA. I don't know what the qualifying criteria is, but if your son does start to receive ESA (and you would have to give up child benefit, if I understand correctly), then there might be a bursary payment as well, if his college has that. You might also want to ask if claiming ESA entitles him to free meals when at college.

pmlindyloo

For young people who are in non advanced education (includes GCSEs) and are receiving DLA/PIP there is a choice.

The parents can continue to receive child benefit/child tax credits for them or the young person can claim income based ESA in their own right.

Since the OP is not claiming child tax credits then it makes sense for the young person to claim income based ESA and close the claim for child benefit.

Google how to apply.

http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/benefits-and-community-care/benefits-for-young-people-with-autism.aspx

Old_Socks_old_Stick

Thanks everyone!


As we don't claim any other benefits it looks like it is better if my son claims ESA in his own name and I stop with child allowance. I will look into ESA. My only concern (and please remember I know nowt about the benefit system) is that, if he needs to go on these back to work interviews regularly, then it will be no good as we/he wants to continue in education.

tomtontom

Does he need to claim anything extra, does his DLA not cover his outgoings?

michellenealemum

My daughter has just started getting pip , she is getting enhanced care and standard mobility . She is in sixth form and she has been told by school she can claim EMA its worth £30 a week, we thought this had stopped but she has filled out the forms and she is waiting for her first payment.

Indie_Kid

michellenealemum wrote: »

My daughter has just started getting pip , she is getting enhanced care and standard mobility . She is in sixth form and she has been told by school she can claim EMA its worth £30 a week, we thought this had stopped but she has filled out the forms and she is waiting for her first payment.

EMA doesn't exist in England any more.