Special Support Grant for full time student with disabled partner????

jonswager

Hi,
i 've looked everywhere for more information on who is actually eligible for this grant and am still uncertain if i would qualify or not.
I am a part time HE student and i recieve carers allowance for my husband who is disabled in receipt of income support, DLA and i claim the housing benefit.
I would like to study full time if possible. I would no longer be able to claim carers allowance but i would still be a 'carer'. I also assume that my husband would have to claim the housing benefit. Under DWP rules i am actually a dependent of my husband as the income support is his claim.
I don't seem to fit into any of the catagories .

Any help much appreciated ! (I will be phoning Student Finance but they don't always get it right)

Oldernotwiser

I wonder if you realise that most of your student funding as a FT student will affect means tested benefits like IS and HB? I would look very carefully at the finances of changing from PT study in your situation.

sfdoctor

I've just looked through the eligibility criteria and I don't think you will be eligible for the Special Support Grant. Much of the criteria is based around the student having a disability, rather than the student's partner. Am I right in thinking that your partner isn't a full time student?

You should qualify for the Maintenance Grant (sadly they will reduce your loan slightly as well then).

I was going to attach an extract from the document I was reading where it gave the full criteria...but I can't find the attach button! I'll email them to you so not to bore anyone else who reads this!

gfx_student

I would also like to know the criteria for special support grant. I am attempting to claim it under the "out of work due to illness for 28weeks or more" option.

Indie_Kid

Criteria for special support grant:
- are a lone parent;
- have a partner who is also a student; one or both of you is responsible for a child or young person under 20 who is in full-time non-advanced education;
- have a disability and qualify for the disability premium or severe disability premium;
- are deaf and qualify for Disabled Students’ Allowances;
- have been treated as incapable of work for a continuous period of at least 28 weeks;
- are from abroad and are entitled to an Income Support Urgent Cases Payment because you are temporarily without funds for a period of up to six weeks;
- are waiting to go back to a course having taken agreed time out from that course due to an illness or caring responsibility that has now ended;
- are aged 60 or older.

Source - http://www.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk/portal/page?_pageid=53,1862010&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

gfx_student

I was hoping for some more indepth information like is it a straight cut you have been off work for more than 28 weeks due to continued illness or do they look at more factors than just that.

Thanks for that link - I found the "Application letter for Special Support Grant" which I have not been told to fill out. Now I am a bit worried!!

Indie_Kid

When I applied, I just filled out the finance form as normal, ticked the special support grant box and sent my evidence off.

MrsManda

gfx_student wrote: »

I was hoping for some more indepth information like is it a straight cut you have been off work for more than 28 weeks due to continued illness or do they look at more factors than just that.

Have you been claiming benefits such as Incapacity Benefit or Employment Support Allowance for the last 28 weeks?

gfx_student

MrsManda wrote: »

Have you been claiming benefits such as Incapacity Benefit or Employment Support Allowance for the last 28 weeks?

Hi MrsMiranda, Yes I have been claiming ESA since 27 November last year. That's why I am applying for the special support grant, under those conditions, nothing else applies to me on the list.

Oldernotwiser

Sorry to repeat myself, but have you looked at the effect of the student finance on your husband's IS and your HB? Most of the student loan will be used in the assessment, whether you choose to take it out or not.

jonswager

Thanks for replies. I realise that i am much 'better off' studying part time.