out of school universal credit housing benefit

hiya, 

i am in northern ireland and wondering if any of you had any experience on the topic.

my son is 16 and along with his asd he also suffers with diabetes type 1, clinical depression and anxiety and gender dysphoria.

he has been unable to settle on any education courses as leaving the house causes significant detriment on his mental health. 

i am aware i now have to inform child benefit that he isnt staying on an education course which will mean i will lose child benefit and i believe i will receive a significant drop in my allowance for housing benefit. meaning we wont be able to afford the rent on my private rented property. (for which i currently have more than 2 years left on current lease).

he currently receives PIP at low rate mobility and enhanced daily care 

would he be entitled to universal credit and would that then entitle us to help with housing costs? 

Parents
  • My 16yo doesn’t yet have a diagnosis. They have been unable to continue at college, due to social anxiety and low mood.

    I don’t know if it’s the same in NI abut you can apply for CB carry on for 20weeks.

    I tried entitled to - to see if my 16yo could apply for UC and it seems they can in their own right.

    council tax shouldn’t apply until the are 18 and I was told the same for housing benefit. However I need to follow it up in the new year.

    it’s hard isn’t it. 

  • its very hard! 

    yea i have been since advised my housing benefit should remain unaffected until he turns 18 council tax doesnt apply for me as in NI. 

    i spoke to someone about universal credit for him and was told that they can claim under the age of 18 but only in exceptional circumstances that he doesn't qualify for. 

    i have informed child benefit that he is no longer in education but havent heard back yet due to the holidays i am guessing. 

    citizens advice told me that as long as the long term intention is to evenually go back to education but that he is just currently not well enough too that it should affect the claim but they weren't 100% sure of it 

  • Of you mean it shouldn’t affect the UC claim- I’m afraid it has mine as I can only claim for the one child in education.

    As im going through a nasty divorce after 25year, and he isn’t providing any financial support it is extremely worrying Confused

  • Nothing yet i havent contacted them as of yet nothing has changed in regards to what i receive i am waiting until i hear back from child benefit department i contacted them just before christmas to request to speak to someone about the claim.

    once i know what is happening in regards to that i will inform the housing.

    Although advice ni have told me he can stay on the claim and i will receive full housing until he is 18 and after that i should still get full housing as i receive PIP

  • What does the Housing Executive say? 

Reply Children
  • Nothing yet i havent contacted them as of yet nothing has changed in regards to what i receive i am waiting until i hear back from child benefit department i contacted them just before christmas to request to speak to someone about the claim.

    once i know what is happening in regards to that i will inform the housing.

    Although advice ni have told me he can stay on the claim and i will receive full housing until he is 18 and after that i should still get full housing as i receive PIP