Incapacity Benefit and College Courses

Mummyboo

Hi was wondering if I could pick your brains I claim DLA, Income Support and Incapacity Benefit for Depression.

My condition has remained the same despite numerous medications and counseling sessions. So I am trying to look down a different route and trying to push myself out there.

I have found a course that I would love to do but my problem is that if I do the course I will more than likely loose my Incapacity Benefit. This is something that I just cannot afford to do. For one I don't even know if I will be able to manage the course it depends how I cope with the depression.

I am told to keep IB I will have to prove myself incapable of work my question is how do I do this???

My other worry is that I will open a can of worms and open myself up to be reasessed. I have nothing to hide but as anyone knows this can be very stressful and of course theres the financial loss.

Can anyone help I really don't know what to do???

Seems impossible to help yourself and all the doctors want is to give me pills (that don't work) to pop.

earplugs

I looked this up on t'internet and found this from the Disability Alliance website:

Studying and claiming incapacity benefit

The majority of benefits enquiries to Skill’s information service concern studying and claiming benefits. Prospective students in further and higher education are often very concerned about whether their benefits will be affected by study. This is particularly worrying for people with long-term health conditions and mental health difficulties.
There is no regulation that says you cannot get IB while you are studying, even full-time. However, some people, including some Jobcentre Plus staff, assume that studying proves that someone is capable of work. In fact it all depends on the course you are going to do, and Skill believes that studying at FE or HE level should not impact upon IB, unless the course is very vocationally orientated and involves the same hours, tasks and pressure of employment.
There needs to be better, clearer and more student friendly information available on the impact of studying on benefits.

I'd recommend ringing your local Jobcentre Plus and say that you are thinking of starting a course, and then also tell them that you're doing it to try and get yourself out there but you don't know if you will be able to do the course. Ask them if they have a policy on people who are on IB and who want to study to try and get themselves better, then you'll be able to see what their reaction will be if you were to start studying officially.

black_paw

best to get some help first on whats best to do

jackieb

My son is 20yo and on IS and IB. He was off college for a whole year due to anxiety. We told the Job Centre that he was going back to college and he got a letter back saying that it wouldn't affect his benefits. We were sure they were going to be stopped.

chloecat_2

Hiya
I'm on IB and started an open university part time course last month. On advise i rang the benefits peeps who asked me to put a study request in writing to them. They okayed me as its part time and study at home. You are best off ringing them and asking as if you don't and they find out they could stop your benefits.
Good luck

Mummyboo

Hi

thanks for your responses. :T

I rang the Jobcentre today and was told I would have to put it in writing. My worry is that they will say no and then stop my IB could this happen??? I mean I am asking permission???

chloecat_2

They are nicer than you think

Put down what the course is, how many hours per week and if you think it will benefit your mental and physical wellbeing to be allowed to do so.
Thats what I put and it was true as I suspect it will be for you.
Unless you are thinking of full time study or something else extreme like that you probably won't have an issue with it.

Let them know, they get back to you within 2 weeks so at least you will then know.
They won't stop your money just for enquiring.
Good luck, Chloecat