Mature Student, single parent, finished degree, what next?

Zeldazog

Okay, firstly apologies if any or all of these questions have been answered before, but I couldn't see anything....

I have just finished a full time degree, external assessment was last Thursday (3rd June). Results out around 16th June.

I am a single parent with a child of 12. I currently don't work, have been getting housing benefit and CTC (and CB). Was not eligible to pay council tax as full time student.

So, I am hoping to sort out something to set up as self-employed, but trying to find studio space at the moment. May also be working a few hours a week (to cover studio rent!), haven't had chance to look into the self employed side of things yet in terms of business support, working tax credit etc. Am extremely busy getting ready for a big ceramics fair followed by New Designers.

When am I officially no longer a student (and therefore liable for council tax again, so need to change my claim)?

Do I/can I claim income support? Or (now child is 12 and they changed the rules) do I have to go to Job Seekers, and how does that work if I am thinking about self employment?

Or is there something else I should be doing?

Thanks for help and advice.

(I have no intention of sitting on benefits, I do intend to make a go of this, just I have a ridiculously busy time until after New Designers (back 5th July) and I don't suddenly want to find myself having to pay back council tax or housing benefits.

Ta

dmg24

Yes, you will need to claim JSA once term has finished.

Why not find a job, and then focus on self employed work once you have some money behind you?

Zeldazog

Thank you DMG. Any idea what's classed as finish of term? During previous summr breaks I wasn't able to claim anything until the beginning of July, but didn't know if this applied at the end of the course.

Trouble is with finding the job first getting money behind then starting up, is as a maker many of the best opportunities, and quite a lot of extra support is available to new graduates setting up (some things like crafts council grants, and uni speed bursary only available in the first year, that type of thing).

Also, at 45, I don't really want to work too many more years before doing what I really want to do... already done enough of that. Is also a personal failing of mine too, that if I step away from the making/creativity, I might not go back to it because it will become too easy to do a paid job... if you get what I mean. But that's a me thing.

Zeldazog

Just had a thought about how this might sound, so to clarify - I am fairly soon ready to go with the self employed bit, just need to get a craft fair and new designers out the way first - have a temporary space which should cover me for the next few months - so being self employed will happen fairly quickly - I wasn't planning on living on benefits for months and months until it was sorted.

It's a matter of weeks really, until a) I get the current requirement to make some stuff for two weeks time out the way, b) have had time to go see various agencies, business advice and so on

I just don't want to get caught out receiving help under the wrong circumstances (if you get what I mean) - I will probably be eligible still for support at this moment (til I get a job, set up self-employed, etc) but need to be claiming the *Correct* things.

[Deleted User]

I have no idea the answer to your questions - but you might find more benifits specific info on that board.

Sorry can't help

lrr_2

Have a look on your uni website and look for "term dates", this will tell you when the term ends and you can start claiming. This is not when your exams are finished or when you get results