Disabled son turning 19, what can I claim for him? Will I lose transitional protection?

janeydee28

Hello, last month I was migrated from tax credits to universal credit so have a transitional protection payment included. I thought I had till he turned 20 to worry about him becoming an adult as that was what is was on tax credits. Today I had a message in my journal saying my claim for my son will end on 31st August as he turns 19 before that. This put me in a spin as I'm so new to the world of uc and it's been a nightmare so far!

My son is still in further  education, he has an EHCP and receives PIP enhanced rate for mobility and living. I am his appointee. He will most likely be in fe for a few years yet. Can anyone advise what I can claim for him? I thought uc but he hasn't had assessment for being limited capability for work. I am going to ring esa first thing tomorrow to see if we can get this done before he starts his new course in September. If I can't then I have no clue what to do. 

Also will our transitional protection be affected by this change (child turning adult)? 
Extra info incase it helps - I am a single / lone parent, in receipt of Standard daily PIP myself. 
Sorry if it's a bit of a ramble, I'm panicking a bit at the moment. 

8dayweek

If your Son’s current education is non-advanced then he can claim UC from 1 September if he provides a Fit Note as he’ll no longer be a qualifying young person (i.e. on your claim). 

Non-advanced Education isn’t treated as receiving Education if you can still meet your Work Related Requirements, and with a Fit Note these would largely be switched off. 

Your Transitional Protection wouldn’t be affected, but you’d lose the Child Element for him (and the accompanying Work Allowance if he’s the only Child on your claim). 

8dayweek

Just seen you’re his appointee - so he’d have no (mandatory) Work Related Requirements anyway. 

readinginthelibrary

@8dayweek I am my son's appointee. What do you mean by no Mandatory Work Related Requirements?

janeydee28

Thank you @8dayweek that's really helpful. It's all such a stress. 

poppy12345

Being his appointee for PIP doesn't transfer to UC and you will need to ask them to put that in place. What I did when my daughter claimed was i claimed as if I was her and then when I had access to her journal I put a message on there to ask to become her appointee. I was then contacted by a work coach who arranged it. 

No work related requirements means he will not have to attend appointments. 

8dayweek

@poppy12345 the UC system now SHOULD identify an Appointee already in place for PIP and prompt re-verification. 

@janeydee28 As a general rule the UC system sees everyone as a “jobseeker” from the outset then as other information is added etc the system reacts to that. As it would be your Son’s first claim, no prior WCA etc, then they would be in Intensive (effectively a Jobseeker) however a Fit Note would switch off work search requirements (pending outcome of WCA) - but added to that, someone with an Appointee cannot be mandated to undertake work related activities anyway. 

poppy12345

8dayweek said:

@poppy12345 the UC system now SHOULD identify an Appointee already in place for PIP and prompt re-verification. 

Thanks, that's good to know but as we know, "should" doesn't always mean that is what will happen. 

8dayweek

poppy12345 said:

8dayweek said:

@poppy12345 the UC system now SHOULD identify an Appointee already in place for PIP and prompt re-verification. 

Thanks, that's good to know but as we know, "should" doesn't always mean that is what will happen. 

Agreed - it’s a fairly new update, but does seem to be working OK so far. 

charlies_tribe

Just wanted to say thank you for your question janeydee28 and all the replies.
I had just come here to ask the exact same question. I also thought we had up until he was 20. I have huge anxiety myself and couldn't sleep trying to find out if he (well me, he would have no idea) would be able to claim for himself. I've tried benefit calculators and none will do a calculation for him.

lisa231269

Hi @janeydee28 did you find out anymore on the transitional protection please as UC are absolutely useless with giving me any info on this as my son comes off my UC claim this August 2025..  I’ve written on my journal and been told it might end the transitional protection as it’s a significant change! Yet nobody can confirm this for definite which is shocking considering that’s what UC advisers are there to do! I’m dreading it as it’s showing I’ll go from £1626 a month to £393 a month and I’m stressed to the max! I seriously don’t know how I will manage losing that much money ey in one go! It’s making me feel really unwell mentally.. Can anybody advise me please xx