Benefits

[hannah40]

My friend is 70 and has a son with Autism. I am his legal guardian and have power of attorney for him along with his mum.
My friend has health issues so would like her son to move in with me now as we have a spare room .
The 19 yr old is at college so we were wondering if it were best to keep child benefit payments going and if so would mum still receive them or the lad himself or myself as he would be living with me or would it best to put the lad onto to universal credits
And can you get universal credits if your still at college?

[barry1010]

There is a good guide here referring to students claiming universal credits
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-students

Has he applied for any disability benefits regarding his autism? I have no idea if he will qualify for any but he won't unless he applies.

When he comes to live with you, you should apply for child benefit in your name.

I strongly suggest you get benefits advice from Citizens' Advice or similar as it is not going to be straightforward.

[Peter Pedant]

I agree with Barry
walk-ins at AB are unlikely to have an answer ( hem hem)
the right answer - bearing in mind that get it wrong, including he DOES qualify but the wrong person applied for the wrong benefit - the person pays it back


[ which happened to me when I realised that the person I was claiming about, had got married and er hadnt bothered to tell anyone about change of status. anyone, preswumably the husband knew]

[barry1010]

I've been thinking about this but am unsure if it's a good idea.

He could move in with you as a paying lodger - perfectly reasonable for a 19 year old lad. The Rent-A-Room scheme means you wouldn't be paying tax on the rental income if it is less than £625 a month. If he is entitled to UC then he will get help with the rent, considerably more than child benefit.

Claiming UC as a lodger is straightforward, but it can affect other benefits he may be entitled to. As usual, it is complex and this guide needs digesting https://www.gov.uk/housing-and-universal-credit/renting-from-private-landlord

The amount of rent payable depends on where you live. In my area, for example, the maximum amount of rent payable is £91.82 for a single lodger. Use this calculator, choose 'shared accommodation' and put 1 person as the number in the household.