Disability benefit entitlements and post-grad study

FabSascha

Hi Everyone,

I'd really appreciate some advice please. I have a severe disability which means that I struggle to determine each day what I will be capable of during the day - if that makes sense. So I do have days when I'm capable of getting up and doing things, but I also have days when I'm not able to do anything at all and there's no real way of predicting either. I am due for a Work Focused Interview soon and I'm concerned as I have managed to secure a place on a Masters degree which will take around 9 hours a week plus home study. I realise that there will be times when I won't be able to attend Uni, but I'm hoping it won't impact my study too much. Will they view this as me being capable of work? With the current situation as it is, I'm really scared that I'm going to be bullied into trying to work which would be impossible for me.

Another thing I'd like advice on is the fact that my mother is paying for my MA. Will the DWP view this as an income of sorts? She is only paying as we're hoping it will help aid my writing career and I am 100% certain that there is no way she would give me the money to spend instead!

Any thoughts, advice or suggestions welcome please.

[Deleted User]

what benefits do you currently get?

FabSascha

Thanks for your reply. I get Incapacity Benefit, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax benefit and DLA - Care middle rate and Mobility higher rate.

Indie_Kid

Are you a full-time or part-time student? Do you receive any grants, bursaries or scholarships?

FabSascha

I'm hoping to be a full-time student. From what I can gather it'll equate to 9 hours a week spread over three different days. I'm hoping I'll be able to manage it full-time but if not then I'll look into going part-time. I won't be receiving any financial help other than my mum paying for it and I'll be paying her back at a very slow rate on a monthly basis.

dmg24

FabSascha, are you aware of how many independent study hours you will have to do? You are likely to be looking at 25+ on top of your contact hours, and if you are able to manage this, it is possible that the DWP will question whether you are actually capable of work. I study part time at postgrad and face the same type of barriers as you, and I often find even this too much to handle. If it is possible to study on a part time basis, I would strongly encourage you to consider it, for the sake of your health.

You are still entitled to your current benefits if your condition has not changed. However, you may find it difficult to argue that you are incapable of work and require MRC if you are capable of full time postgrad study.

FabSascha

Thanks for your reply dmg24; you raised some interesting points. I did my BA full-time and whilst there were times when I had to miss classes due to not being able to get up, all-in-all it went well. There weren't any issues with regards to my benefits even though I was studying full-time. Do you believe it'll be different because I'll be doing an MA rather than a BA?

dmg24

FabSascha wrote: »

Thanks for your reply dmg24; you raised some interesting points. I did my BA full-time and whilst there were times when I had to miss classes due to not being able to get up, all-in-all it went well. There weren't any issues with regards to my benefits even though I was studying full-time. Do you believe it'll be different because I'll be doing an MA rather than a BA?

The workload of a Masters is far more hard going than an undergrad degree, I do more work now than when I was studying the latter full time.

It is possible that the DWP will not be interested in your continuing study. However, if they do pick up on it they will look at whether full time study (at a pretty intensive level) contradicts the reasons why you are incapable of work. Obviously this will depend on your own condition, but some of the reasons for me being unable to work/ study full time would be due to poor concentration and cognitive skills, needing to rest a great deal etc.

Indie_Kid

If you're full-time, you won't pay any council tax. I know you don't now and receive CTB for it.

bigjl

Can't give anymore advice than you have already been given but well done for getting onto the course, regardless of any disabilities you may have, getting accepted onto a postgrad course is an achievement in itself. Good luck with your studying.

Though definately try not to overdo it.

cit_k

There is published DWP research that shows that there is a problem with people undertaking (permitted i think it was) work whilst on IB for example, as it is up to the decision maker if they call you in for a new medical based on that evidence.

As there is no clear guidance in that area, it means some people are left alone (as the decision maker thinks, great they are doing something to try to help their situation) and others face being hounded by ATOS (as the decision maker thinks it must mean they are fit for work).

If it goes to medical, its quite possible (if not likely) that a assessor could use studying against you. But it depends, some assessors (a good one) may over ride lima (the assessment software) to reflect the truth, others may just use the software, and then , well, I would not fancy your chances.