Are students entitled to''emergency loans'' from t'jobcentre?

BoopBoopDeDoop

Hiya Guys,
To cut a long story short....due to some unfortunate circumstances, I'm struggling for money. I basically had to support my mum in redundancy, got frauded and became 'employed' by a dodgy company (who had me shelling out loads in travel, and failed to pay me) within a few months. I thankfully got another job quickly, and they paid me weekly for a while (which just about paid off all the people I owed, and three months worth of phonebill to get reconnected) but I've just been informed that they no lonfger can. I'm freaking out a bit, 'cause after bills this month I won't have enough money to travel to work or live off. It's five weeks 'till student loan, I'm not allowed to extend my overdraft 'cause of the bank charges the fraud incured (I'm waiting to be refunded but it'll take another month), I applied for a student credit card but got turned down for t'same reason...which to be honest I'm quite glad about because I didn't want to go down credit card alley. None of my friends can help me out...and no, please don't insist that my parents will, 'cause they really can't. One isn't on the scene, one has mountains of debt herself.I'm not exaggerating, my only other options are a payday loan, loanshark or putting myself on the streets. I'm considering applying for a crisis loan from GovNet-I read the guidelines on the GovNet webpage and apparently i'm eligible. But i just have a niggling feeling they won't help me 'cause I'm a student. Has anyone else ever been in this situation? How did it go???

They always state student loans are supposed to last over the summer. Yeah, thats a joke. After rent this year, i had 500 quid left that was supposed to last me five months...BEFORE bills, travel etc. they talk out of their Jacksy's Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

msmyth18

Can your university not help you out with a hardship grant? Im sure your guild will be able to help you with any application

ste_coxy

if you are referring to the social fund you tend to need to be on a qualifying benefit like income support which students can't get. Have a look on:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018905
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018856

Also they will be able to tell you at the JobCentrePlus.

I'd try speaking to your uni to see if you could access their hardship fund - they can be quite generous

shelli2475

Hi Boop - you don't need to be claiming any kind of benefits to apply for a crisis loan - only for a budgetting loan and community care grant - this can only be paid for certain things though and you or your families health or safety would have to be at risk for you to be able to get one. Unfortunately you would be classed as a full time student and although you can apply for a loan - you would not be eligible to get a payment as you are classed as exempt unless you are a single parent and/or have suffered a disaster like a fire or flood. Sorry.

mrcrazy04

I'd second mssmith's advice to see if you can get hardship money from the university.
I had cause to do that in my second year as my Student Loan didn't arrive when it was supposed to.
I went in and spoke to them, had a meeting with somebody the following day and the cash in my hand not long after.
I only got a loan, so I went in and paid the money back as soon as the student loan cleared - but it was very useful.
The only problem I encountered with my university was that they wouldn't cover rent, only food/bills etc.

rapunzelz86

shelli2475 wrote: »

Hi Boop - you don't need to be claiming any kind of benefits to apply for a crisis loan - only for a budgetting loan and community care grant - this can only be paid for certain things though and you or your families health or safety would have to be at risk for you to be able to get one. Unfortunately you would be classed as a full time student and although you can apply for a loan - you would not be eligible to get a payment as you are classed as exempt unless you are a single parent and/or have suffered a disaster like a fire or flood. Sorry.

That isnt quite true, its not just for single parents or fire/flood, its for any kind of emergency - basically not having enough money for food gas electric etc. But whether students are eligible i dont know.
Its always worth applying. you do it over the phone and they tell you by the end of the day.
Another option rather than a payday loan is maybe pawning something to cash generator/cash converters. my laptop always gets me £60 which is always enough for everything i need for a week, then its £86 to get it back. not ideal but what is :cool: