Mum swapping from incap benfit to do a degree what benfits can I claim?

Northern_girl_2

NAD1611 wrote: »

hI
I did not know you can even claim incapacity benefit and also do a degree, surely if that's the case they would class you as capable of work? At an office say or other clerical post. Have you checked that it's possible to keep your benefit in these circumstances?

If you're already on IB you can continue to claim it as a student. It depends on your disability and the nature of the course.

A degree can be very different to employment. I did a history degree with only 4 hours scheduled lectures a week so it would give someone with a disability the flexibility to rest or catch up on work when they are well etc. The university may also offer support that an employer might not be willing to (deffered entry to exams following a period of illness for example).

Having said that, a more intensive course, for example teacher training, it would be harder argue that you were still unfit for work because there are placements etc that are the equivalent to working and the course is generally more intesive.

There is really helpful advice on being a student and benefits here:

http://www.skill.org.uk/page.aspx?c=14&p=147

bestpud

Loop wrote: »

Thing is my outgoings are tiny as it is, its the rent that will be the killer, most people at Uni will be in halls or renting a room, so very much cheaper, where I cannot do this as my kids and me need to stay in our home which is going to cost the extra £500. I dont have sky, my gas/leccy bill is very small and im on the cheapest scheme, my car insurance is cheapest, and so it my household insurance. TV licence and Water rates and that is my only outgoings. I cant cut back any more than I have since ive been on benefits.

Can I work a few hours, claim incapacity for the 6 months and study? If so I might be able to get some of the rent money saved up.

Have you seen the cost of uni accomodation? It isn't that much cheaper and they won't be getting half the help you get either!

As I see it, you should be able to manage easily.

You will be getting nearly £12000 in loans and grants and your rent is half that, so £6000 to live on BEFORE you count child benefit and ctc. Plus you will get HB during the summer holidays anyway and you may be able to keep your IB.

Do you really think that is not enough to keep an adult and two children?

Or am I missing something?

Woodyrocks

Hi Loop,

How are you getting on with the course and the money situation? Update please!

farso

Wow!

Yet another post from someone who wants to be a full time student just to rip off the (already overstreched) system, great!

My advice.. Want a degree.. try saving for one and affording it yourself like all everyone else (honest and hard working) has to do.

//End rant

seven-day-weekend

Much as I wish the OP well, I thought students got loans these days and nothing else?

Oldernotwiser

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Much as I wish the OP well, I thought students got loans these days and nothing else?

Students from low income families can get grants as well. There's also extra grant funding for lone parents, disabled students and those with adult dependents.

katiesmummy

farso wrote: »

Wow!

Yet another post from someone who wants to be a full time student just to rip off the (already overstreched) system, great!

My advice.. Want a degree.. try saving for one and affording it yourself like all everyone else (honest and hard working) has to do.

//End rant

sorry, but there is no need for the above comment-the op was only trying to find out what she is entitled to as a full-time student

are you trying to say that bursaries and grants should be done away with?

katiesmummy

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Much as I wish the OP well, I thought students got loans these days and nothing else?

think it varies from course to course-you get bursaries for some degrees and grants as well

Loop

Hello ev eryone sorry I havent updated you all...

For the few patronising comments, I was meerly asking what I was entitled to as I assumed I wouldnt get HB once my student grants etc kicked in, and it was another poster who pointed out I definately would.

Anyway I am still waiting on the decision from the council (typical), and the finances are fine, however I am worried about the large amount ill owe after my course ends.

I didnt jsut do this degree on a whim, I did an Access course which I didnt get any grants for previously to make sure it was what I wanted (gah why do i feel like i wanna justify myself?) Art for me is so theraputic, and its really is helping me overcome my severe mental illness, it gives me a stronger sense of who I am and a great routine, which is what I needed. I do have to pay for Child care, but my course is only 3 days a week, so I get to split my time very easily, and the kids arent missing me too much. Money is much tighter for me than all the other students on my course, as Im the only mum, and most of them work in bars etc at night which means they can up their income, and come to uni in the day. The difference is that I really appreciate my study, and try and squeeze every last bit out of my course, some people dont even bother turning up hardly for our lectures, which I was surprised about.

Ill update you guys after xmas maybe, and see how the money situation is looking then eh!

Good luck to all you MSE'ers xxx

cardiffforthefacup

Glad to here you are enjoying your course, ignore the trolls there will always be others who can't stand to see anyone going out of the way to get on and get better. You may want to claim a child care grant if you haven't already as this will cover 85% of child care costs. Get the form from the Lea, it is a bit longwinded to fill in but you are entitled to help with these costs the same as any family on less than 65,000 a year is entitled to working tax credits and child care costs, so don't be afraid to claim it. Try not to feel too guilty about putting children in nursery as it is very good for social skills as you will find out when they are not as shy as others when they start school.