child benefit for 20yr old

squizz11

I have a friend who's daughter had just turned 20 and is still in full time education (not higher)  which finishes next July, this is because of ill health in the past and moving.    she is also waiting for an op on both her knees where both legs will have to be broken,  this should happen in the next few months.

she still lives at home, tax credits and CB have now stopped and she isn't entitled to UC as she is a student.

is there any other benefit that can help as her mum gets nothing now 
she gets pip but she isn't meant to use that to live on, as that's not what it's for 
thanks 

poppy12345

PIP can be used for anything you want to use it for, there's no rules for this. It's not clear who claims the PIP, the daughter or the mother?

squizz11

the daughter

poppy12345

She can apply for New style ESA but she won't be able to receive any money because it's a NI Contirbutions benefit and should wouldn't have paid enough from working in the previous 2 tax years. She will need to claim this in order to be assessed with the work capability assessment. If she's then found to have LCW or LCWRA then she will be able to claim UC. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance

Information here regarding disabled students https://askcpag.org.uk/content/205705/universal-credit-and-disabled-students-no-way-in

There are no other benefits that she can claim.

squizz11

thanks

her mum has lost £100 per week and the daughter gets £73,  so can't even replace that plus she has to get cabs because of her knees.   neither of them drive either and buses are awful where she lives.   

poppy12345

There is always a drop of income once a qualifying young persons reaches 20, if they are still in full time education. I don't agree with UC rules that a disabled student can't claim UC in circumstances such as these but they are the rules and there's nothing we can do.

The sooner she claims New style ESA the sooner she can be assessed for the work capability assessment. She will also need a fit note from her GP to be able to claim it. If she's found to have LCW or LCWRA then a claim for UC can be made but sadly it can't be backdated. If she's found to have LCWRA then she will receive the extra £343 per month from the start of her claim.

KxMx

Has Mum also looked to make sure she is getting everything she is entitled to in her own right?

I know daughter is still in education but rather than looking for the £100 a week to be replaced they could look at their household expenses, they are now two adults not adult and child and that can mean a different lifestyle on the reduced income.

Getting cabs everywhere must be very expensive, there are usually local volunteer schemes to get people with transport difficulties to and from medical appointments, or look at hospital transport but the criteria is often very strict.

I know you said the buses are awful but i'd encourage her to look into whether either or both of them would qualify for a disabled persons free bus pass, these are managed by individual local authorities and all have different criteria.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-disabled-bus-pass

Long term is moving to an area with better public transport an option?
I speak from experience and it's the best thing we ever did as a household.

squizz11

she already moved because of overcrowding and had no chance where she was.   she literally has nine months left of education to get through and because her birthday is early in the educational year ( if she was born in July it wouldn't matter).   it seems unfair because she moved and had to have operations and had to delay college they are now being penalised.   

when the buses keep getting cancelled she has to get cabs for education.

poppy12345

They are not being penalised with the benefits the mother was receiving ending. They ended because of the age of the daughter, it happens to every young person.

Although i agree that she does have a disadvantage because of her disability and being unable to work as well as being a student, like a lot of students do.

The only way around this is to claim New style ESA as advised above and the sooner she applies for this, the sooner she has the work capability assessment. Once this is done if she's found to have LCW or LCWRA then she can claim UC, providing she still claims PIP when she applies for UC.

theoretica

Has she spoken to the school?  Sometimes they know about assistance - either practical (a lift share with another student who does drive/is driven?) or even financial.

poppy12345

She could speak to her local Authority about transport to school/college. Although some local Authorities will end funding for transport once the young person reaches the age of 20, even for those with a disability.