Benefits and missing son

[Rachie1973]

Will try to explain as best I can.

 

I have 3 children technically living at home. The eldest is 17, at college and we receive lower rate DLA for him due to his rather severe learning and behavioural difficulties. Clearly because he's over 16 it goes into his bank account and I take it to pay for his odds and ends, (in theory the bits he breaks when having a paddy etc)

 

We also get some Housing Benefit, some Tax Credits and his Child Benefit.

 

Nearly 2 weeks ago he steamed out of home and has refused to come back so far.

 

There is a girl involved and I'm pretty certain when it fizzles out he'll be home. He has a contract mobile that I pay for so he is in contact sporadically, when demanding I give him money or take his stuff to him (which I have refused to do).

 

I think he's living in a flat with a known drug user. I can't be 100% sure. I know they've been served with an eviction notice which they're fighting. I'd consider him 'vulnerable' but Social Services don't agree with me.

 

Clearly, if he doesn't live here I can't claim his benefits, however I'm pretty certain he'll be home within 6 weeks. How long can I wait before informing the appropriate agencies before I start committing fraud? If I give it another 2 weeks would that be ok do you think?

[flumps1976]

You can continue to claim and receive child benefit and tax credits for a period of 8 weeks following him leaving the household.

Are you his legal appointee for benefit purposes? If yes then you can continue to access his payments to cover his needs but if not then you should ideally leave his payments in his account untouched by you so that he can access them himself if needed.