What benefits can a mature student claim?

[seahorsesrus]

I will be begining a 2 year post graduate course in September.The course is full time .I have two children One of whom has a disability and my husband is on js.I will receive a bursary to assist with 3/4 of my fees.I will have travel costs and hope to get a maintanance grant.I have a mortgage.Am I entitiled to any benefits?I live in Scotland.Any advice please.

[Oldernotwiser]

This will be a difficult question to answer until you know whether you receive a bursary and, if so, how much. Obviously, if it's generous it'll also affect your husband's JSA if this is income based rather than contributions based.

[lighton]

Originally Posted by seahorsesrus

I will be begining a 2 year post graduate course in September.The course is full time .I have two children One of whom has a disability and my husband is on js.I will receive a bursary to assist with 3/4 of my fees.I will have travel costs and hope to get a maintanance grant.I have a mortgage.Am I entitiled to any benefits?I live in Scotland.Any advice please.

Do you recieve carers allowance for your disabled child? If so would it not be a better idea for your partner to claim carers and income support instead of j/s?
This will be reduced when you find out how much the bursary is etc but you may still be entitled to some other benefits like housing benefit i think on interest of morgage and council tax benefit .I think it would be a good idea to ring benefits agency

[mjwatts59]

You can receive a 25% Council Tax discount. As a full-time student you will be exempt so your husband is treated as the only adult in the property, and you get 25% off.You may also get Council Tax Benefit if your husband stays on JSA.You will not be entitled to Housing Benefit if you have a mortgage.