Doing a ten week course...

Orville

Hi.

It's looking very much like i will be doing a 10 week bricklaying course at Southampton College. This is actually classed as a part time course over a year but they are condensing it into Ten weeks at 32 hours or so a week.

My question is, will this affect any benefits bearing in mind it is classed as a part time course and if not can i gain any help with the cost of childcare as i might have to put my son into the afterschool club till i get home...

Benefits_Bod

Orville wrote: »

Hi.

It's looking very much like i will be doing a 10 week bricklaying course at Southampton College. This is actually classed as a part time course over a year but they are condensing it into Ten weeks at 32 hours or so a week.

My question is, will this affect any benefits bearing in mind it is classed as a part time course and if not can i gain any help with the cost of childcare as i might have to put my son into the afterschool club till i get home...

The course may well be labelled part time, but at 32 hours per week it's difficult to see how, in reality, it is anything but full-time. The labelling isn't always what counts; it's the reality that may count.

I would strongly advise you to seek firm WRITTEN clarification from the DWP and, if you are on HB/CTB, your local council.

Orville

Benefits_Bod wrote: »

The course may well be labelled part time, but at 32 hours per week it's difficult to see how, in reality, it is anything but full-time. The labelling isn't always what counts; it's the reality that may count.

I would strongly advise you to seek firm WRITTEN clarification from the DWP and, if you are on HB/CTB, your local council.

Why would i have to get written clarification from HB & CTB..? I thought you didn't need to be claiming JSA to receive that....

Benefits_Bod

Orville wrote: »

Why would i have to get written clarification from HB & CTB..? I thought you didn't need to be claiming JSA to receive that....

That's correct. However, your student status *may* in itself affect your HB/CTB. I note the reference to childcare costs means you are responsible for children and therefore you *should* still be entitled to HB even as a full-time student. But, "students" are a tricky area and I wouldn't leave this to chance.

NB: If you are on income-based JSA AND the DWP decide you remain entitled throughout your course, HB/CTB won't be affected. Depending on the nature of the course, you may be entitled to exemption from any Council Tax charges for the duration of the course (this isn't the same as CTB). However, that could mean a new CTB claim is needed when the exemption ends. Check with the Council Tax section about exemptions.

Orville

Benefits_Bod wrote: »

That's correct. However, your student status *may* in itself affect your HB/CTB. I note the reference to childcare costs means you are responsible for children and therefore you *should* still be entitled to HB even as a full-time student. But, "students" are a tricky area and I wouldn't leave this to chance.

NB: If you are on income-based JSA AND the DWP decide you remain entitled throughout your course, HB/CTB won't be affected. Depending on the nature of the course, you may be entitled to exemption from any Council Tax charges for the duration of the course (this isn't the same as CTB). However, that could mean a new CTB claim is needed when the exemption ends. Check with the Council Tax section about exemptions.

Thanks for your comments, i'll get onto them...