Can adult child claim benefits living at home?

Halfie

Hi all

My 20 year old son is unemployed after leaving his job in February.  He jumped before he was pushed and did receive a month's PILON.  This has now gone and we are unsure if he can claim any benefits.  He lives at home with myself and my fiance - we both work and have a good income and savings.  Will our earnings and savings effect anything my son may be entitled to? 

Also, would there be any issues as he resigned rather than being dismissed? 

Many thanks 

Caz3121

He would likely be looking at Universal Credit...https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/what-youll-get
your income does not effect his claim

poppy12345

It will depend on the reasons why he left employement because there could potentially be a sanction for up to 26 weeks.

calcotti

poppy12345 said:

It will depend on the reasons why he left employement because there could potentially be a sanction for up to 26 weeks.

First offence sanction, if applied, would normally only be 91 days even for a high level sanction so as the ‘offence’ occurred in February would now be up, or almost up.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/sanctions/check-sanction/

OP, UC entitlement would be £344/month assuming no other income and no savings over £6,000.

Halfie

Thanks!! He resigned as he was going to be sacked on medical capability grounds.  He has diagnosed, medicated mental health issues and rather than go through the stress of medical capability review, he tendered his resignation. 

£344 would definitely help him with his phone and car bills so thank you for that info. 

TELLIT01

Jumping before being pushed is never a good idea when it comes to claiming benefit.  There is the potential for him to be viewed as making himself deliberately unemployed, and then subject to sanctions.

poppy12345

If he has a medical condition that limits his capability to work then when he claims UC he should report the health condition and send in fit notes (formally sick notes) from his GP. This will then start the work capability assessment process off. If he doesn't do this he will be expected to look for work.

Also do be aware that the standard allowance has been increased by £86 per month and as per Government rules, is due to be reduced from October 2021, unless they extend it further.

Halfie

TELLIT01 said:

Jumping before being pushed is never a good idea when it comes to claiming benefit.  There is the potential for him to be viewed as making himself deliberately unemployed, and then subject to sanctions.

I know, but at the time we were more concerned with his mental health than any potential benefit claims.  If he had gone through the process he still would have been unemployed so we took the decision not to go through it.  Appreciate what you're saying, and will bear that in mind for future.  

poppy12345

Halfie said:

TELLIT01 said:

Jumping before being pushed is never a good idea when it comes to claiming benefit.  There is the potential for him to be viewed as making himself deliberately unemployed, and then subject to sanctions.

I know, but at the time we were more concerned with his mental health than any potential benefit claims.

All the more reason to report the health condition when he claims UC. https://www.gov.uk/health-conditions-disability-universal-credit Once he's assessed if he's placed into the LCWRA group he'll receive an extra £343 per month from the 4th month of his claim.

huckster

There are some really good online resources regarding mental health and work.

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/how-to-be-mentally-healthy-at-work/work-and-mental-health/

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/depression-anxiety-self-assessment-quiz/

It would be really helpful, if your Son received additional  support with mental health.  At the moment, mental health services in many areas of the country have waiting lists, because of the additional demand created during the last 12 months.  Therefore, as well as seeing his GP, it is worth using the online resources. 

Taking part in some form of volunteering activities can be a really positive step forward for health and finding work purposes. It would be well received by prospective employers and the organisation he volunteers for may be able to provide a reference.