What financial help could my son (or me) get? Aspergers and Mental Health.

WantToBeSE

My son is 15 and has some pretty severe mental health problems (Severe Anxiety, depression as well as others), as well as recently being diagnosed as having Aspergers.

He sees a therapist at CAMHS every 2 weeks, a psych every month, we have meetings with the disability team from Social Services every 6 weeks, child in need meetings every 6 weeks and we also have a family worker who visits every fortnight.

The Psychiatrist has mentioned the possibility of hospitalising him in a psych hospital
.
I have had to cut down my hours a considerable amount, to be able to take him to (and attend) all of these meetings, as well as get him out of the house (we doesnt leave the house without me) but i am really struggling financially.

I am about to make a claim for DLA for him (i put it off after being told by CAMHS to wait until he had his diagnosis) but he will be 16 in January. Is there any financial help him or I could get?

I only earn about £100 a week.

WantToBeSE

Anyone with any suggestions?

jak

Dla until he's 16, then esa for him and pip for him when he's 16. Sorry I cant be more help x

WantToBeSE

Thanks jak.

Can he apply for DLA now, even though he'll be 16 in January? I presume that as soon as he turns 16 he'll have to claim PIP?

pmlindyloo

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Thanks jak.

Can he apply for DLA now, even though he'll be 16 in January? I presume that as soon as he turns 16 he'll have to claim PIP?

I would put in a claim for DLA now as it seems as if you have lots of medical evidence. Since he is under 16 yrs then there seems no reason not to do this.

And what about you and your finances?

What benefits are you claiming?

Is your self employment still up and running? Have you applied for HB, CT support, tax credits? Do you have any savings/assets?

If you don't mind sharing some details we may be able to make some suggestions? Or you can put your details into the benefits calculator on https://www.entitledto.co.uk yourself for an estimate of your entitlements.

Your son can claim ESA in his own right when he is 16 yrs old but if you are receiving child tax credits and CB for him financially it would be better for you to continue the claims especially if he is still in full time education.

WantToBeSE

pmlindyloo wrote: »

I would put in a claim for DLA now as it seems as if you have lots of medical evidence. Since he is under 16 yrs then there seems no reason not to do this.

And what about you and your finances?

What benefits are you claiming?

Is your self employment still up and running? Have you applied for HB, CT support, tax credits? Do you have any savings/assets?

If you don't mind sharing some details we may be able to make some suggestions? Or you can put your details into the benefits calculator on https://www.entitledto.co.uk yourself for an estimate of your entitlements.

Your son can claim ESA in his own right when he is 16 yrs old but if you are receiving child tax credits and CB for him financially it would be better for you to continue the claims especially if he is still in full time education.

Thanks pmlindyloo

I am still managing to work part time from self-employment. I now get some housing benefit, council tax benefit and WTC and CTC.

Looking online i think i can apply for Carers Allowance for me, but only if my son has DLA?

I am having a meeting this afternoon with Social Services, CAMHS, the Psychiatrist and various others, so will ask them about DLA.

dawnybabes

I'd put in a claim now, it should be backdated to the date they receive it. Depending on the case they have been awarding it for a few years (as they have such a backlog of PiP)

Roxy07

Please whatever you do don't admit him into a psych hospital.. he will just get worse.

I know it is hard, but if you put him in there he will just be institutionalized and won't have a chance to improve. So unless it is a total last resort, always try other ways first.

WantToBeSE

dawnybabes wrote: »

I'd put in a claim now, it should be backdated to the date they receive it. Depending on the case they have been awarding it for a few years (as they have such a backlog of PiP)

Thanks dawny. The lady from CAMHS said the same at the meeting. So i'll phone up and get a form.

Roxy07 wrote: »

Please whatever you do don't admit him into a psych hospital.. he will just get worse.

I know it is hard, but if you put him in there he will just be institutionalized and won't have a chance to improve. So unless it is a total last resort, always try other ways first.

Roxy, believe me it isnt a decision that i would take lightly. But the fact that he is a severe risk to himself and/or other people means that i am not sure it would be my decision.
Have you had a negative experience with psych hospitals? Why do you say that he wont get a chance to improve?