My son

[Granolol]

Hi my ex partner gets the pip but my son wants to no if he can get the pip for himself as its his own money ?he's 17 and he has special educational needs and hes at college he wants to no if he can get any grants or help he doesn't want to live with his dad anymore as his dad is under the influence but not my words but just what's been told to me were in England just incase

[49Twister]

Does he live with your ex partner, he must be his appointee if he receives it. It is your son's money and should be spent on his needs but it depends if he can manage his finances? If he can I suppose he could receive it but he may have to prove he is capable. It might be an idea to ring the dept who deals with PIP. I'm really not in a position to advise, hopefully someone can.

[Granolol in reply to 49Twister]

My son has a send he went special needs school he's now at college his dad gets the pip but normally children can get there pip given to children directly at 16 I think but as he's got special needs I think he can get it when he's 18 I just feel so sorry for my son his dad spends the pip on drugs mostly and my son feels alone I just don't no what to do anymore my son disurves his own money i advised him to go citizens advice xxx

[49Twister in reply to Granolol]

That is aweful for you and your son. I don’t want to pry but could he not live with you? How old is he? Your son does deserve his own money and it needs to be spent on him, he will be classed as an adult at 18. Does he have a Social Worker, I think he should have if still a child, I would be contacting her/him if possible.It does need reporting but I understand your concern for your son. Is there anyone else can support him to get advice if your not able to. I'm hoping someone else on here can give some advice as it's quite worrying. Take care and best wishes wish I could be more help.

[Granolol in reply to 49Twister]

There is no she im the mum my son lives with his dad and his dad is the one keeping his pip and dad is doing drugs well he's always not sober from what I've heard and I'm very worried I want my son to have his pip

[49Twister]

I understand that and I agree with you if this is what his dad is doing.The only thing I can suggest is reporting his dad to Social Services or to the benefits system for misuse of your son’s benefits. There will be consequences to this, your son could be taken into care. Are there other family members can intervene and support your son, you definitely need some good advice and support to deal with this. I don’t think we can really advise on this, I would contact Mencap. Why don't you ring the Mencap Learning Disability Helpline 0808 808 1111 or email [e-mail] anytime Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm

Best Wishes

[Granolol]

Thank you

[Granolol]

Do you think there any grants you do of or any help to get his own place xxx

[Granolol in reply to Granolol]

Are there any grants that You no of that was meant to say

[49Twister]

I don’t sorry but if he is an adult you could contact social services and ask them to consider him for supported living. They would have to do an assessment on him to see if his disability is consistent with needing this and how much support he would need. As he lives with his dad he would have to be informed, You really need expert advice so please contact Mencap. It might be easier to email so you can explain everything in as much detail as you can. It might take a few days for them to get back to you but I'm sure they will. x

[Chocolate-heals-all]

hi Granolol you said his dad is taking the PIP and “spending it on drugs”. That’s financial abuse. You can report this to the duty social worker in your son’s local authority. They would visit and do an emergency assessment, possibly with the support of police officers. At 17, I think they would probably put your son in a group home, if you cannot have him with you. Your son would have to have a proper needs assessment.

You can advocate for him even if you aren't in a position to have him living with you. Mencap can support you in the process of getting him out of his current situation which seems quite risky.

I really think your son needs an advocate, because his dad might be able to conceal any abuse he's perpetrating. Or (if you believe your son) you can go straight to the police, because financial abuse is a criminal offence and because your son may be at risk of harm. The police would act alongside social services to get your son to safety. But I would be concerned, that your son could be snatched away from his support network at college, and that could be disastrous for him and could put him at greater risk. So that makes it even more important that you get advice from a specialist. Mencap can help, I'm sure.