Managing PIP for teenage child

DonningVonKruger

Hi,

We recently have applied and been accepted for PIP on behalf of my 17yo daughter. One of the points on our application was her inability to handle finances and that is a reason I am named to be able to discuss the claim. We were surprised that she got the full amount including mobilty which works out as quite a lot of money per month. There is no way she can be trusted with that amount do to her specific conditions and we wanted to pay her "spends" weekly to manage it. The rest we see as going towards board/food/clothing and activities such as getting driving lessons. She seems to believe she should have the full amount paid to her, but it will literally be blown in the first few days of the month. Are we unfair to be doing this? Can we legally manage her claim in that way? I must point out we haven't had the first payment yet. 

calcotti

If you are her appointee it is entirely up to her what you do as long as it is done in her best interests.

https://www.gov.uk/become-appointee-for-someone-claiming-benefits

Appointee’s responsibilities
As an appointee you’re responsible for making and maintaining any benefit claims. You must:

• sign the benefit claim form

• tell the benefit office about any changes which affect how much the claimant gets

• spend the benefit (which is paid directly to you) in the claimant’s best interests

• tell the benefit office if you stop being the appointee, for example the claimant can now manage their own affairs

  
  

elsien

Does she have capacity around her finances? 
 If yes, then if she wants to make unwise decisions (as many young people do when they first get money coming in, whether benefits or wages), that is her choice to make. That is how people learn.
 If no, then supporting her to budget and manage more effectively is why you are her appointee.  Whose bank account is the money being paid into - I'm presuming yours?   Is it possible to do a budget plan with her to involve her as much as possible and talk through the need to put money aside to save for things etc?

One issue may be that if you have been paying her pocket money up till now,  all her spending has been hers to spend on what she wants;  or you have been paying everything for her, then the need to start paying for things for herself (whatever expectations you may have around contribution to household expenses, for example or things you have been paying for that she will now be paying for out of her benefits) is something that may not be on her radar at the moment. That is something you will need to talk through, possibly in the context of transition from child to adult and the need to pay her own way. There is nothing wrong in part of her benefits being used towards household costs. 

poppy12345

DonningVonKruger said:

The rest we see as going towards board/food/clothing

Do you still claim benefits for her such as child benefit or tax credits/UC child element? If you are then this should cover food/board and surely you won't need to take extra money for this?

I'm my daughters appointee for her benefit claims, which include PIP and UC and all her money is paid into my bank account. I take out the money she gives me for her board and the rest is all transferred to her in her bank account. I guide and advise her with her spending and she doesn't spend anything unless she asks me first, even though it's in her bank. She also doesn't understand money either and can't even count single numbers without using her fingers.

I still think she should have access to her own money, regardless of her level of understanding.

elsien

OP isn’t taking about his daughter having no access. He’s talking about supporting her to ensure she contributes where she needs to and her money doesn’t all get spent at once.

Your daughter is compliant with your wishes. If she wasn’t, and was blowing it on things that you felt were bad for her, or that you hugely disagreed with, or she was spending all her money on day one then throwing tantrums about having no money for the rest of the month, would  your response still be the same?  If there isn’t an element of guidance and support if needed then why bother with an appointee ? 

poppy12345

elsien said:

 If she wasn’t, and was blowing it on things that you felt were bad for her, or that you hugely disagreed with, or she was spending all her money on day one then throwing tantrums about having no money for the rest of the month, would  your response still be the same?

Yes, absolutely because i still think they should have their own money but with guidance. I'm entitled to my opinion, just as much as you are.

theoretica

As I see it the PIP is awarded to pay for where the person has greater needs, or lower capacity for earnings.  And in the future that money is likely to be very needed for living, so getting used to frittering it all away won't help or be a kindness in the long run.  Involving her in discussions and transferring money into pots seems worthwhile - does she want the driving lessons, for instance - and if she enjoys spending giving her the pleasure where possible with clothes shopping etc.    For her spending money, would monthly and running out be a valuable lesson for her, or not - you will have a better idea of that than we do.  But if the money is coming to you, maybe being careful not to talk about it as 'her' money, but as money for her support?

Spoonie_Turtle

In terms of the board/food idea, if she were a typical teenager with a part-time job, if you would be charging her some of that as a household contribution then you may feel it's fair to use some of her PIP in that way.

Then, if there are extra household/family costs because of her disability, PIP is reasonably expected to go towards that too.

Beyond that, it's a balance between looking out for her best interests and allowing her to make typical teenager decisions - which usually includes some spending that you would consider wasteful, but that doesn't do her any real harm (I mean things like overpriced/overhyped tat that disappoints in real life, or short phases of interest, etc., not scams or frittering so much away that she harms her future).  It's difficult enough for parents of typical teenagers who do have the ability to learn from unwise decisions, but adding disability into the mix and especially if it the case that she wouldn't learn from any serious mistakes, just makes it much more complicated.

You know your daughter best, and how exactly you decide would be most beneficial to use it for her will also depend on the current financial arrangements as elsien pointed out.  Ultimately it has to be for her benefit now as well as in the future, fostering as much independence as is possible/appropriate for her as an individual.

Rubyroobs

She can learn to drive but can't manage money?

calcotti

theoretica said:

As I see it the PIP is awarded to pay for where the person has greater needs, or lower capacity for earnings. 

PIP has nothing to do with capacity for earnings. Support for those with limited capability to work is through ESA or LCWRA element of UC

poppy12345

Rubyroobs said:

She can learn to drive but can't manage money?

I don't know what managing money has to do with learning to drive.