Child turning 16 eligible for Disability benefit, maintenance still due?

Fiona

Hypothetical situation

Mother is in receipt of DCA allowance and carers allowance and respite allowance for a child classed as special needs

(special needs is in dispute that's a story for another day)

Once the child is over the age of 16 and if their mother is in receipt of the DCA benefit on their behalf this then entitles them to claim their own disability allowance in their own name from the age of 16 onwards.

If the child is getting disability payments from that age, will the father still have an obligation to pay maintenance towards the mother for the upkeep of the child when they are in receipt of their own weekly disability payment?

Susiepringle

The DCA ends at 16 and the child doesn't always qualify for disability if their health has improved which would leave the mother with less income. My understanding is that the other parent doesn't have to pay maintenance if the child does qualify for disability. This disability payment will be included in the household income and she may lose other help, if any she gets from the state. It's a tricky one and citizens advice would help with the figures. There are pros and cons to this. The child would get this payment through college because they are unable to get a summer job and it wouldn't interfere with the susi grant

Fiona

I am going to send you private message if that's ok?