Maximum respite or residential allowed but still classed as living at home?

[Jacqueline14]

When my 20 year old daughter with a learning disability finishes college in July next year, I want her to go on a programme which would mean 3 nights at home, 4 nights in a residential setting. I know the care element of PIP will be reduced accordingly. But will she continue to be classed as living at home for Universal Credit and other benefits and decision making. She wants to be at home with us but the 4 night independence programme will be good for everyone. Does anyone know the maximum time that a person can be away each week before they are classed as not living at home? I think there is a set figure? Thank you.

[Rupertthebear]

Hi Jacqueline,

I am trying to get UC for my son who turns 20 next month and have been told if he’s in FT education ( he’s doing basic literacy) he’s not entitled to anything . I rent a flat and they said if it was in his name he would get LHA but if you live with him only half . I am fed up with these people as if he went into supported living it would cost LA at least £400/500 a week . I can’t carry on caring in the capacity I have been due to old age and work and health . Why are these people so unreasonable when it comes to adults with learning difficulties? All these organisations

Mencap / autistic society etc are just money making spin offs .

[BenjiB in reply to Rupertthebear]

way way more than £500 per week. My son has just moved to residential. Once funding was agreed I asked the placement team how much it was. It’s more than £5,000 per WEEK

[BenjiB]

my son has just moved to a full time residential placement after being at residential college for 3 years (38 weeks). He’s 23.

His universal credit isn’t affected because he’s funded by CHC. He also gets the mobility part of pip.

If funded by SS your daughter will have to pay a contribution from her benefits. An financial assessment will be done.

[Bergersil400]

My daughter who is age 27 has just moved into supported living in July. She is 100% health funded so gets to keep her PIP plus mobility component. We are in the process of getting her moved over to UC as at present she is getting ESA and can't get housing benefit due to the landlord being a private for profit organisation.

We weren't told that rules changed in 2021 and now we are a race against time to try and avoid rent arrears. It is likely we will end up paying some back out of our own pocket as I believe UC only back dates a month of arrears and she moved in late July. After that hurdle she should be better off on UC once limited work capability component id added.

The advantage of supported living is that as long as it is her main home we can bring her home every weekend if we want which we are doing at present whilst she is still attending her day centre close to where we live.

I think residential is different however if she was in that type of care, due to being health funded she would still keep elements of her PIP.

Best of luck in what you decide.

[Rupertthebear in reply to Bergersil400]

are you also able to stay with them in supported living accommodation? A few nights?

[Bergersil400 in reply to Rupertthebear]

I believe so as it is classed as her home. We were told that if we wanted to stay overnight just to let the night warden know, and obviously those doing the rota as we would be the support.

We haven't done so as yet . With her having waking night staff she only has one bedroom and it would mean getting a chair bed for one of us to sleep on whilst the other can have the sofa as a bed. Might consider it once the UC sorted and housing costs covered.

[BenjiB in reply to Bergersil400]

it’s the same in residential, you keep the mobility part of pip and his UC isn’t affected. My son is health funded too. We’ve just had a review though and I’ve not heard if they are still going to fund 100%. Hopefully they will otherwise he’ll have to pay a huge contribution leaving him with practically nothing.

[Bergersil400 in reply to BenjiB]

That is good to know that you can keep the UC in residential too. Supported living is certainly encouraged by those in power these days, probably as cheaper option. However the more I look into things , for someone like my daughter who has no capacity redidential is surely the better option in the long run as she has complex needs and was reason she was changed from social to health 6 years ago.

It has been a nightmare applying for universal credit, not because the forms are hard to understand for the average person but are geared up for able bodied individuals who can read and write or have some capacity to work. They want signatures, bank account details of the applicant and bill payments with name and addresses, all of which are in my name as an appointee.

Residential I imagine you are spared a lot of that? Would you recomeend long term?

[BenjiB in reply to Bergersil400]

I’d definitely recommend residential over supported living. I don’t want to be dealing with leases and bill paying and the possibility of my son being given notice (as happened to my nephew!).

I’m still appointee. At present I’m giving cash to the house for him to spend but I need to apply for a new passport for him so I can open a bank account and then I’ll transfer them money each month.

I agree about UC and the forms of ID. I registered my son to vote for that very reason! He couldn’t vote but having something with his name and address on has helped on many occasions! Use the journal though to explain the situation and the can come up with alternative forms Of id.