18 year old disabled son. Told UC payment will stop.

LADYXXMACBETH

My disabled son (18) is about to finish special school and is enrolled on a pathfinder course at college to start in September, it's a full time course. UC have told me that he will need to make his own independent claim and that my claim will stop.
I currently get the disabled child element and HB on my UC claim. I work part time. 
I was advised by a DWP advisor that I would receive the addition UC elements for him until July 2026 as he turns 19 in October. However, this doesn't seem to be the case. I've been on entitled to that seems to imply I would still get it, but UC and the helpline says "nope" make a claim for him. 
I don't know who to believe, and I'm now terrified I won't be able to pay my rent as I haven't factored this into the equation. I was getting myself prepared for next year, not 10 days! 
I've messaged my work coach twice but they just say make a claim for him. 

itsthelittlethings

Hi, I can’t reply at the moment as at work but will have a think later.

There was a thread by someone in a similar position recently, I hope someone else can link to it as it had lots of good advice in.

There is always hope and a way with the benefit system!

LADYXXMACBETH

I did try and search it, but couldn't find it. Thanks though 

itsthelittlethings

Hi Ladymacbeth it was here. Obviously everyone’s situation is different but might have some ideas.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6612139/help-with-money-severely-disabled-adult-staying-at-home/p1

marcia_

 Check out contacts page on young people claiming benefits. There are also sections in parents claiming benefits 

https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/education-learning/education-england/education-beyond-16/

huckster

This can be confusing.

Essentially he is staying in non advanced education and the Summer break is just the normal break in between.

Therefore I don't see why they cannot stay on your UC claim until the end of August after they have turned 19. Then from September 2026, they will come off your UC claim and they will need to claim UC in their own name.

It would be different if your Son was going to be attending an advanced level course from September i.e. A degree level course. As that would mean that he would be eligible for student finance.

I would just tell Universal Credit that your Son is staying in non advanced education and will therefore stay as a child on your claim.

itsthelittlethings

huckster said:

This can be confusing.

Essentially he is staying in non advanced education and the Summer break is just the normal break in between.

Therefore I don't see why they cannot stay on your UC claim until the end of August after they have turned 19. Then from September 2026, they will come off your UC claim and they will need to claim UC in their own name.

It would be different if your Son was going to be attending an advanced level course from September i.e. A degree level course. As that would mean that he would be eligible for student finance.

I would just tell Universal Credit that your Son is staying in non advanced education and will therefore stay as a child on your claim.

Yeah, when I read it back it looked wrong to me as I thought there was something about up to 19 in education.

8dayweek

DWP Advisor is wrong - Child Element (and any associated Disabled Child Element) continues paying up to the end of August following the 19th Birthday provided they remain in full-time non-advanced education. 

From 1st September after their 19th Birthday, Son can claim in their own right - even if still in non-advanced education (as long as it is compatible with their work related requirements).  

NedS

huckster said:

This can be confusing.

Essentially he is staying in non advanced education and the Summer break is just the normal break in between.

Therefore I don't see why they cannot stay on your UC claim until the end of August after they have turned 19. Then from September 2026, they will come off your UC claim and they will need to claim UC in their own name.

It would be different if your Son was going to be attending an advanced level course from September i.e. A degree level course. As that would mean that he would be eligible for student finance.

I would just tell Universal Credit that your Son is staying in non advanced education and will therefore stay as a child on your claim.

Essentially correct, but technically they cease to qualify as a young person receiving non-advanced education on the day after the official end date of the course, so they should report a change the day after the course officially ends (usually sometime in mid July 2026, and will vary course by course) so not a qualifying young person right the way through until 31st August (unless the course is ongoing and does not end in July).

As @huckstersays:

huckster said:

I would just tell Universal Credit that your Son is staying in non-advanced education and will therefore stay as a child on your claim.

as UC are obviously confused and have assumed this is an advanced course of education, which it is not.