Adult learning Grant, parent on benefits

jonty1970

Sorry if this is in the wrong place.
My son receives the adult learning grant and attends college full time, studying A levels.
I m on full housing and caouncil tax benefit.

I have just received my CTax and housing benefit award notice, and I my benefit has been reduced, as my son's grant has stopped, but will start again in September.

I am struggling as it is now trying to keep him, as £30 goes no where (hlf is for his bus ticket)

Can he claim job seekers allownce for a short time?
There are no temporary jobs here. He has tried and keeps going into the job centre, but there is nothing he can do for the roughly 8 weeks till he claims ALG gain.
Thanks for any help!

sad_dog_lady

i think first you should contact the council and make thenm aware he is returning in september, they may well of automatically thought he was completed, i hope someone else helps you soon, you could visit customer services at his college and ask if they know of anything as well as their is a student hardship fund, in this county if you are on ben and your son pays out alg on transport due to living more than 3 miles from the college the council re inburses half and the college offers half as a bursary grant, try phoning education transport dept of college and transport department of council.

jonty1970

the college can only give him further proof of his course, in September when he goes back.

He can't get anything for his travel, s far as I know. He has done everything he was advised to do (he gets £3 off a weekly bus ticket -he pays £12 instead of £15)

The council backdated some rent and council tax last year, because he had no income at all. He should have signed up for job seekers allowance i suppose, then my benefit for rent and CT would hve stayed the same.

sad_dog_lady

im so sorry to hear that, in north lincolnshire the council and colleges subsidise poor income families college transport but only if you know what to ask for... perhaps a trip to cit advice or a temp agency. sorry i couldnt help hope someone more knowledgeable comes along.

Penny-Pincher!!

jonty1970 wrote: »

Sorry if this is in the wrong place.
My son receives the adult learning grant and attends college full time, studying A levels.
I m on full housing and caouncil tax benefit.

I have just received my CTax and housing benefit award notice, and I my benefit has been reduced, as my son's grant has stopped, but will start again in September.

I am struggling as it is now trying to keep him, as £30 goes no where (hlf is for his bus ticket)

Can he claim job seekers allownce for a short time?
There are no temporary jobs here. He has tried and keeps going into the job centre, but there is nothing he can do for the roughly 8 weeks till he claims ALG gain.
Thanks for any help!

This may get a better response from the benefit section of the board?

Can he not look for some work whilst he is off college?

PP
xx

sad_dog_lady

bump
hope someone has some advice

MrsManda

Hi
I know you said he was not eligible for any transport costs but I know the benefits system can be a bit of a pain when it comes to getting everything which is available so there may be a possibility he hasn't spoken to the right people. HERE
is a page from direct.gov.uk which has a link where you can search your postcode for what help is available in your area. Thought it may be of use if you haven't already tried it.

Has your son just finished his first year of A-levels? A-levels class as a 2 year course so he still should be classed as a student over the summer holiday in between the two.
'You will not be counted if you are 18 or 19 years old
and are in full-time education. This includes people of that age who are
at school or college and are on courses up to, and including, A level standard.'
The original letter from the college should've stated it was a two year course just like HE students are classed as students for the duration of their degree, not just term time.

He should go to the Jobcentre and ask if he is entitled to JSA. If he isn't because he'd classed as a student you should be able to claim CT benefit, if he is then it is likely you'll qualify for Second Adult Rebate.

HTH

jonty1970

Thank you for all the help.
He finishes tomorrow for the summer holidays, so he is going to ring round and see what help he can get.
Thanks again!
Will come back and let you know what we find happens

jonty1970

Has your son just finished his first year of A-levels?

Yes.
He had to pay for a prescription the other day as well, as he was told in the chemist, he is not the "right sort" of student ?????

Fire_Fox

jonty1970 wrote: »

Has your son just finished his first year of A-levels?

Yes.
He had to pay for a prescription the other day as well, as he was told in the chemist, he is not the "right sort" of student ?????

You are not automatically entitled to free prescriptions after age 18 even if still in full-time education. Once you turn 19 you need to claim as a low income family - there are tick boxes on the back of the prescription that are quite clear.

Work-wise I would suggest he gets the local branch of Connexions to help your son prepare a CV and covering letter and then he traipses the streets. Whether he wants to go onto university or get a decent full-time job after his A levels, work experience will be invaluable in demonstrating transferable skills on the application form and having something to discuss at interview.

student_advisor

jonty1970 wrote: »

He had to pay for a prescription the other day as well, as he was told in the chemist, he is not the "right sort" of student ?????

He needs to complete a HC1 form available from your doctor's, dentist, optitions etc http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/HealthCosts/2123.aspx