My son (18) may be starting residential college and will be coming home weekends and holidays. He is in receipt of PIP atm. Will this be affected and will he be entitled to UC. Thankyou all in advance 🥰
Residential College and benefits: My son (18) may be... - Mencap
Residential College and benefits
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CT76
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From memory my son continued getting DLA and EMployment support allowance at that age
Aww thankyou ..it is all very confusing
My only advice to you is get a Lasting Power of Attorney for your son if he has mental capacity but it he lacks mental capacity get a deputyship you will need to go on the gov.uk website and apply it is quite a lengthy form but it’s doable without this you don’t have the legal power you need to speak for your son so it’s really important everything changes when they become adults. I have a deputyship for Health and we’ll-being and property and finance it’s the best thing Nd most important thing I’ve done. I am now his voice because he can’t do it himself and I have the legal support of the court to execute this.
Hi can I please ask how do you apply of power of attorney of deputy ship and how much does it cost my son 21 years old does have mental capacity at Lower level but can’t have a proper adult conversation with maturity more like a 8 years old level should I have apply for this , he can’t even make appointments for GP on phone .
Hi go and the gov.uk website put in the search button apply for Lasting Power of Attorney hopefully it should come up or just try Lasting Power of Attorney. But first and foremost you need to find out if your son has mental capacity speak to his GP or his social worker if he has Mental Capacity and then you can apply for a Lasting power of Attorney there are two property and finance and health and well-being. If he is deemed as not having mental capacity like my son doesn’t then it’s a deputyship these are a bit more complicated but doable and do not be put off by anyone to do these as they’re so important. You can use your sons money to apply for these and there are grants if things are hard. If you go through a solicitor it would cost a lot of money but it costs a few hundred otherwise. I hope that helps. There’s also the office of the public guardian that can advise as well. Good luck and feel free to ask any other questions.
I was reading about the deputyship..it seem straightforward to do but they want records each year of money spent etc.. and fees to pay annually ...is this right ?
All you have to do is keep a receipt book of the things you buy your son any expenses you’ve incurred providing his account stays under 21,000 I believe it really isn’t that hard honestly. They won’t want to know every transaction on the report I believe it’s anything over £300 they want to know what it was for. The health report they want an idea of what you’ve done for him over that year so I tell them about the hospital appointments and who he’s seen medically over the year it really isn’t difficult seriously. You can always come back to us and ask questions and speak to the people who guide you afterwards there is support and help with this. Don’t worry you will be fine.
Your welcome good luck
Hi. My son was at residential college. He does not claim UC at the moment and is still on the old style benefits. He continued to receive ESA but the PIP daily allowance is withdrawn for the days he is at college. You need to inform the DWP about the change and this affects the daily PIP. Make sure you keep a diary of the dates when your son is home and when he is at college. Mobility PIP is not withdrawn. Contact citizens advice or mencap if you need specific help. Good luck.
Brilliant, thankyou. My son wont be going until September but wanted to get an idea on the benefits side of things as he will still need money to live (e.g buy clothes ) Have you got Power of Attorney for your son? ( as Jofisher mentioned )
Hi I have deputyship for finance and health and welfare which I share with my husband and eldest son. Get more than one deputy if you can. Deputyship is more useful than POA as my son can decide what to have for dinner but can’t make the big decisions about his life like accommodation and finances.POA assumes he has capacity to make those decisions. I am also his appointee for benefits but this could be my husband or eldest son if anything happens to me. Hope this helps you.
Aww maybe that would suit better. Im already his appointee. Is the deputyship easy to do?
Hi
My son (22) is at residential college. It’s a 38 week placement. I remember asking this exact same question 2 years ago!
The mobility part of PIP isn’t affected. . The care part is only paid if/when he comes home. You have to phone them each time.
If you claim carers allowance that works the same, is paid when they’re home. You fill out a form each time.
My son also claims UC. He gets the highest rate. Everything is paid to me as his appointee which I then transfer to his account. I transfer money from there to college for stuff he needs.
If your son’s care is funded by social care then most of the benefit will be taken to put towards his care. My son is funded by nhs continuing healthcare so his benefits aren’t affected .
It’s not difficult or complicated. Once you have a date phone the DWP and let them know, they will suspend all benefit to start with while the investigate.
I’m not my son’s deputy at present but may apply for deputyship for next year when he moves on from college. Any questions please ask. I was overwhelmed this time 2 years ago but honestly it’s fine.
Aww thankyou so much.. that is really helpful 🙂I had read about the PIP and mobility but was unsure.. I believe my son's placement would be funded by social and health , if so all his benefit is paid towards care... PIP and mobility? Or UC? Or both? If he is coming home on weekends and holidays will need transport/ money ...
They will do a financial assessment. From what I’ve been told by parents I know from college they are usually left with around £30 a week out of whatever they have coming in It’s disgusting and unfair, it’s not enough to buy clothes and everything else they need. Is the placement 52 weeks or 38? My son is 38 weeks so is home 14 weeks of the year.
My son would be coming home weekends plus holidays
On a different note it was the best decision we made, our son has thrived at his college which is in Ringwood near Dorset. It’s the most amazing place. He doesn’t come home at weekends as they do so much there and he really seems to enjoy being with his peers and house mates x
Aww thats so nice to hear..as its a worry for us
I was worried sick. He’d never stayed away from home. He’s non verbal with severe autism and severe learning disabilities. When we took him the first day he wasn’t happy and the first night was a challenge but after about 3cdays he really settled into the routine. He’s always happy to go back and skips off into the house without a backward glance. I’m now frantically looking around for a new place for when he leaves there. Another huge worry!
My sons autistic too.. he is verbal but has severe learning difficulties, high anxieties and behavioural difficulties and is dependendant on myself for all his care needs. He had been to overnight respite regularly from the age of 10 to 18 and enjoyed that most of the time ( he would spend alot of time in his room as he cant cope with other children around him..he also has his own class room in school seperate from the rest of his class ) . Its a huge worry but it is so heartwarming to hear positives from others such as yourself 💙 .What are your options for after ?
Well there is a community/village type place next to his college, run by the same company. It looks amazing and perfect for him but there is a huge waiting list and no spaces. Everywhere I’ve phoned are saying no staff or places. The next option will be a single person occupancy house which I’m not keen on. It’s worrying me silly to be honest.
Sounds similar to here. We have been looking for respite to replace the one he had but all the places suitable are short staffed or no space 😔.Im glad its not just me that worries silly x
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