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Living Together Claim - Can I Go To College?
he6rt6gr6m
Posts: 163 Forumite
Hello everyone. Fist post, even though Ive been lurking for some time...
The question I have, is this. Let me tell you a story.
Me and my Girlfriend of 6 Years were recently (Jan 2007) declared living together as husband and wife. Were not engaged or nothing, but we do live together, and both our current benefits are rolled up in one neat package, which goes into her bank account.
Due to her illness, and to which she is claiming Incapacity Benefit for, I am on Income Support for the support of myself. She gets approx. £70 p/w, and I receive approx. £45 p/w.
All housing benefit and council tax is payed for.
The problem I see, is that because I am not aware of when my GF will be able to go back to work, or to sign off IB, what does that leave me to do in the mean time? Currently, I dont do a lot with my time, and at 22 Years Old, I am wasting a lot of my life away by being sat in the house all day, unable to do anything meaningful with the threat always hanging over me that my GF and I will lose our income and the support we get for the roof over our head.
I wondered if the Govt. has a structure in place that will allow me to partake in a college course of my choosing (something I have thought long and hard about) over the next 2-3 years, and enable me to get ahead in life, for a brighter future, without the risk of rocking the preverbial income boat.
I may be a little naive in this way, but I am of the assumption, that because I will be doing something to better my chances of working in a well paid job, as well as looking to get off the benefits scheme after the course is finished, that there wouldnt be a problem with me taking the course, and fulfilling my potential. Basically, it would be me in a college building for 8 Hours of the day, instead of sat in my living room for THE WHOLE day.
The other thing I have wondered, is if the Govt. would be willing to still pay for my course, given my age and willingness. I understand that things only begin to change benefit-wise when I reach 25 Years of age. Would this include the support I can get to go to college?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
The question I have, is this. Let me tell you a story.
Me and my Girlfriend of 6 Years were recently (Jan 2007) declared living together as husband and wife. Were not engaged or nothing, but we do live together, and both our current benefits are rolled up in one neat package, which goes into her bank account.
Due to her illness, and to which she is claiming Incapacity Benefit for, I am on Income Support for the support of myself. She gets approx. £70 p/w, and I receive approx. £45 p/w.
All housing benefit and council tax is payed for.
The problem I see, is that because I am not aware of when my GF will be able to go back to work, or to sign off IB, what does that leave me to do in the mean time? Currently, I dont do a lot with my time, and at 22 Years Old, I am wasting a lot of my life away by being sat in the house all day, unable to do anything meaningful with the threat always hanging over me that my GF and I will lose our income and the support we get for the roof over our head.
I wondered if the Govt. has a structure in place that will allow me to partake in a college course of my choosing (something I have thought long and hard about) over the next 2-3 years, and enable me to get ahead in life, for a brighter future, without the risk of rocking the preverbial income boat.
I may be a little naive in this way, but I am of the assumption, that because I will be doing something to better my chances of working in a well paid job, as well as looking to get off the benefits scheme after the course is finished, that there wouldnt be a problem with me taking the course, and fulfilling my potential. Basically, it would be me in a college building for 8 Hours of the day, instead of sat in my living room for THE WHOLE day.
The other thing I have wondered, is if the Govt. would be willing to still pay for my course, given my age and willingness. I understand that things only begin to change benefit-wise when I reach 25 Years of age. Would this include the support I can get to go to college?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
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Comments
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Are you currently a carer for your partner? If not, is there a reason why you are not able to work?Gone ... or have I?0
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the information i got from job center regarding this issue and to answer your question is no. you are capable of work and therefore should be in employment, you can still go to college ect but around work and in your own time, i think its different if you go to university whereby you would live on grants and loans ect, but gont quote me. good luck0
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the information i got from job center regarding this issue and to answer your question is no. you are capable of work and therefore should be in employment, you can still go to college ect but around work and in your own time, i think its different if you go to university whereby you would live on grants and loans ect, but gont quote me. good luck
Incorrect that does not apply to those on Income support unless they have changed the rules recently.
If the OP is on Income support then they have to be forDWP wrote:a lone parent responsible for a child under 12 years of age
a carer, or
registered blind.
Can I get Income Support?
It is for people who:
are 16 to 59 years old
have a low income
work less than 16 hours a week
are not in full-time study
do not get Jobseeker's Allowance
do not have savings above £16,000, and
live in Great Britain
If the OP is not in these categories (there are a few more i believe) then either they are commiting fraud, a mistake has been made, or they are in fact on JSA which is another benefit. I suspect the OP has an illness but until they confirm their circumstances we wont know?
If the OP is on Income Support then he can do a part time course at college and keep his benefit however you must inform the DWP/Jobcentre so you can fill in a simple form and also liase with your college because they often will pay your course fees for free. I did this myself with consent for years the first time i had to fill in a form ever since then its just taken a phone call.When using the housing forum please use the sticky threads for valuable information.0 -
Hey. SOrry for the delay in getting back.
No, were not committing fraud. We were put on this claim after the Job Center had me take an interview about my living arrangements. I was previously claiming JSA from the same address, but they wanted to put us on the same claim.
The rate I get is £91, but they know Im able to work, because I was previously on JSA. My partner cant. She is on IB, however, I dont know if I am her carer or not. I havent declared that I am, so I shouldnt be, I dont think. :S
Its all rather confusing.0 -
As you haven't answered my question, I'll ask again:
Is there a reason that you cannot work?Gone ... or have I?0 -
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I know dmg24 has already asked this (twice!) but is there any reason why you are not able to work?
If you are afraid of losing benefits, then what better incentive to take your future in your own hands and make a positive change?! The axe will undoubtedly fall in the future – God if they are talking of pushing single mums whose youngest child is 1 year old back to work, I doubt that able-bodied 20-something year old males will be afforded special treatment! – so if you make a change now, you will be in a better position to be self-supporting in the long run.he6rt6gr6m wrote: »Currently, I dont do a lot with my time, and at 22 Years Old, I am wasting a lot of my life away by being sat in the house all day, unable to do anything meaningful with the threat always hanging over me that my GF and I will lose our income and the support we get for the roof over our head.
You say you're "wasting your life" but what do you WANT to do? You mention having considered a college course. Have you looked into apprenticeships? As an apprentice you would be paid a minimum of £80pw (you wouldn't earn enough to pay tax so you'd take the lot home), you'd work 4 days a week and spend one (paid) day in college studying. You get a minimum of 20 paid holidays per year plus bank holidays, and at the end of it, you'd get a qualification and of course you'd have accrued some on-the-job experience. According to the link below, there are 180 possible career choices in which you could do an apprenticeship. Well worth a look I'd say!
http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/Be-an-Apprentice/Other-Questions.aspxIf I don't respond to your posts, it's probably because you're on my 'Ignore' list.0 -
I wonder if you can explain why you're on IS rather than JSA? You don't mention any disability so I can't see why this would be the case. It makes a difference when considering college courses, although I would agree with the others that you should be working rather than claiming benefits.0
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I'm assuming your GF is the main benefit customer (IB for herself topped up with IS for you) if this is the case please ask to see a New Deal for Partners Adviser at your local Jobcentre.
There is lots of help available but if you are wanting to do a college course you best find out whats available as it needs to be funded by Learning Skills Council (LSC), be able to complete & gain qualification within 52wks & lead directly into work not to a further course ie you take an NVQ2 but know you need NVQ3 to get a job with the qualification.
Benefits will not be affected in fact you could receive extra money....good luck hope it all works out!0 -
tink_the_stink wrote: »I'm assuming your GF is the main benefit customer (IB for herself topped up with IS for you) if this is the case please ask to see a New Deal for Partners Adviser at your local Jobcentre.
I haven't come across this before. Could you explain how the OP can manage to avoid being on JSA?0
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