Whats available to my special needs son at 18?

flufff

I hope someone can kindly advise.
I'm a divorced single parent.My eldest son is special needs.He has epilepsy,asthma,nystygmus,thoracic kyphosic(wears back brace) and a diagnosis of fragile x similar to autism with learning and behavioural problems.Hes statemented at a special school with 2 assistants.Hes 16 this year.Leaves at 18 in 2 years.

At present on his behalf I receive his DLA high for care and low for mobility.Also child benefit and usual child premiums in income support plus a bonus premium of a child on high DLA.

I'm panicing a little over how much my money will drop when he leaves school in 2 years at 18 so frantically trying to clear overdraft and save.I need to know in advance what my financial situation will be.

I dont think my son will ever be able to hold employment down to nature of his problems.He needs 2 assistants to physically stop him leaving school.Hes also doesnt possess the skills to enable him to live in sheltered accomodation so looks like he will be at home with me until that happens.

Obviously I will retain carers allowance.I am going college in september to try and retrain before he leaves school as I dont want to be on poverty line.

Will the DLA be paid to him at 18?
Also what other benefits would he receive if living under my roof and how would they affect my benefits as his carer under same roof or would we be financially better with him in sheltered accomodation with a lot of assistance?

calleyw

I would have thought that once your son reached 16 his DLA should be paid to him as it says on the government webpages about one form for under 16s and one for above.

If you go back to work at some stage and earn more than £86 a week you will not get carers allowance any more.

I would say that you are better off talking to the DWP.

All the best.


Yours


Calley

Penny-Pincher!!

When does his award run out? DLA normally request that when a child reaches 16, they have to claim DLA in their own name, but am unsure if this still apllies if son is in FT education

Your son at 18 will be able to claim DLA and Income Support as he shouldnt be expected to be seeking work if he is unfit to do so. All benefits and premiums you receive for him will stop (IS, HB, CB etc). He maybe able to receive Direct payments and will need an assessment done via Social Services.

As someone has stated, if you earn over a certain amount you will be unable to claim CA.

HTH

PP
xx

lil_me

Fluff - usually from 18 he can claim for DLA in his own right, aswell as Incapacity Benefit if he qualifies.

http://www.cafamily.org.uk/benefits.html Pages on when your child turns 16 included on there, inc incapacity etc including this part

Also, when your child turns 16, Disability Living Allowance can start to be paid to them directly unless they are unable to handle their own affairs. If this happens the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will nominate someone, usually the parent, to act as an agent for the young person.

Has he been in touch with the local connexions/next step agency ? They should be able to help him with employment, training and benefits advice.

Morglin

Try this:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/DG_10016191

and this:

http://www.shaw-trust.org.uk/

Lin

stazi

From Oct 08 Incapacity Benefit and Income Support for new claims will be abolished. The new allowance will be called ESA-Employment and Support Allowance, and this is what he will be able to claim.
Just because your son is now 16, it doesn't automatically mean that the DLA is payable to him. If his is unable to manage his own affairs, he will need an Appointee- which I presume would be yourself. Contact the DLA unit at Blackpool on 0845 123456 for you to apply to continue to be his Appointee.
An Appointee would also claim any other relevant benefit such as ESA.

flufff

DLA claim expires when hes 18 so hoping to get that renewed whilst hes still at school before he leaves everyone he knows for references.
Just had appointee form sent back but had no reply from dla.Do I need to see a solicitor over this as he cant manage his own affairs?
Connexions have been in touch with my son at school but dont really get involved till after this year.
Yes I understand about carers allowance.Job centre have been trying to push me into a min pay job at 16 hours no more whilst trying to look after my son and siblings :-( as if that isnt hard enough without any family.Thats why I'm going college part time to do an access course to study to earn enough for a well paid job providing kids dont get ill.I'm scared of being stuck on carers allowance on a min wage.
I understand income support is beoming part of tax credits.So would my son automatically qualify for this at 18 or would he be needing to seek work hes not capable of?Or would it be incapacity?
The other thing if he is on benefits living at home would it affect my council tax and rent rebate?I understand i'll lose 25% single adult but whilst at home with younger children would I still get full housing benefit.
My local benefit office has closed so I dont know where to enquire about this.

stazi

No you don't need to see a lawyer for Appointee action for Social Security purposes(all benefits paid by DWP).
For your son's bank account, all banks/building soc's have the relevant forms/procedures for you to be the 'payee/other signatory/agent' - whatever each bank calls 'an appointee' so that you could look after his money if he agrees. If you remain to be his appointee, ask the bank if this is OK for them.
Otherwise (I'm no expert) maybe you might need to obtain a 'Power of Attorney', again to look after his affairs.
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are dealt with by your local council and you should be able to find the details on their website- just Google
XXX council.
Income Support is not becoming part of Tax Credits, but will become ESA in 2008- see my earlier post.

flufff

Have a compliance officer visiting me tomorrow regarding me putting down to become my sons appointee on a dla form as he soon turns 16.
Can anyone tell me what this will involve please?

Morglin

They will need to see certain items of paperwork (which should be stated on the letter), they will check they are in order, and they will try to make sure that you (and your son) are claiming all you should be.

Nothing to worry about.

Lin

flufff

Letter doesnt request to see any paperwork?
It just says "We need to visit you to discuss you becoming the appointee for....We have arranged for the visiting officer to see you both at above address"
Doesnt make sense really when hes on highest rate of care and has 2 classroom assistants.I dont really now what they want ive signed the form.