Taken a medical leave of absence from University- can i claim benefits?

JamesLB

I've had to apply for a leave of absence from university as I have been and still am very ill and unable to work - I've had doctor's notes etc, and the university have granted it. I hope to have recovered and to return to university in January 2007.

This means that my student loan will be stopped as well.

Unfotunately, my student housing is a twelve month contract that I simply cant get out of. Without a student loan, and being too ill to get a job, I dont seem to have any way to pay for the rent.

The university have suggested I write to the 'financial difficulties' department, but apparently i'll be lucky if I recieve one month's rent from them.

Are there any benefits I can claim to help me?

lallyaya

Hi,

Firstly sorry to hear about your predicament and hope you get better soon.

I have a feeling that as you have had to stop studying for medical reasons and therefore lost your grant/loan then you should be entitled to benefits. Either Incap or if you've not paid enough NI then Income Support.

I think this is right because I was looking at student claims last week and i'm sure the book said that students who can't study for medical reasons become eligible for means tested benefits. I'm not at work this week so can't check.

Best thing to do is call the jobcentre or welfare rights and find out, sooner you do it the sooner you can claim if you're entitled. Find your local JCP at http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk call them today.

Good luck and let me know how you get on.

Love,

Lally
-X-

lallyaya

Oh yes and Housing Benefit as well! Claim it anyway just explain your situation on the form.

lallyaya

OK just had a look and it appears that you can't claim means tested benefits until you have been ill for 28 weeks, however if you recover but are not allowed back to Uni till Jan then you can claim! Crazy. But you should receive support from your LEA for 60 days after you became absent, after that its at their discretion. Get onto Student Support for advice and apply for everything you can.

Good luck.
x

JamesLB

Thanks a lot - a lot lot lot. Will definitely try to get it sorted, would be brilliant if i can claim something.

Cheers,

James.

Crispy_Ambulance

Contact your students union advice centre - they will be able to help. Basically, you will need to be incapable of work for 28 weeks - you doctor might be able to help with a backdated sicknote - and then you will qualify for Income Support on the grounds of incapacity. This will also entitle you to Housing Benefit. Your LEA also has the discretion to continue to pay your loan - a medical certificate and a firm but fair letter from the student advice centre can go a long way towards helping them to use their discretion.

You can also try the Access to Learning Fund at your uni - how much you can get varies from insitution to institution - again the advice centre can help you with this and any other help that is available from your uni.

You will retain your council tax exemption as you are still a full time student while you are on a leave of absence.