Ill graduate - can I claim benefits?

Legacy_user

I am a universit

Jowo_2

What is the level of your savings?

ESA is for individuals that are too sick to work. Work your way through the Turn2us online benefit calculator to understand your entitlements. If you have care and/or mobility needs, look into the criteria for claiming DLA which is not means tested.

Deprivation of capital rules mean that the DWP will treat a benefit claimant as still having the capital (notional capital) if they are believed to have spent it to put themselves in a better position to claim means tested benefits. This includes paying back debts when the individual is not legally obliged to pay them back so the early repayment of your student loans could come under this.

Seek expert advice. DofC is a very complex area. Savings above a certain amount are supposed to be spent on ordinary living costs and therefore any claimant who appears to quickly divest themselves of their capital could get investigated.

MrsManda

To follow Jowo's advice here are some links to find out what you may be entitled to and how to claim:

Disability Living Allowance: for care and mobility needs which have lasted 3 months and are expected to last for at least a further six months
DLA is non-means tested

Employment Support Allowance: for people who are unable to work due to illness and cannot get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). There are two forms of entitlement: Contribution Based - based on N.I. contributions (there are special rules if you're under 25 and was in enducation at least 3mths before 20th birthday) or Income Based.
Is worth applying for even if you don't think you qualify due to lack of contributions/too many savings as you will at least get N.I. contributions paid for you.

Turn2us Benefits calculator

Direct.gov benefits calulator

System

Jowo wrote: »

What is the level of your savings?

ESA is for individuals that are too sick to work. Work your way through the Turn2us online benefit calculator to understand your entitlements. If you have care and/or mobility needs, look into the criteria for claiming DLA which is not means tested.

Deprivation of capital rules mean that the DWP will treat a benefit claimant as still having the capital (notional capital) if they are believed to have spent it to put themselves in a better position to claim means tested benefits. This includes paying back debts when the individual is not legally obliged to pay them back so the early repayment of your student loans could come under this.

Seek expert advice. DofC is a very complex area. Savings above a certain amount are supposed to be spent on ordinary living costs and therefore any claimant who appears to quickly divest themselves of their capital could get investigated.

Thank you! I did not know this! :eek:

Starting to wish I'd just blown my student loan like everyone else! It's the majority of my loan - just under 17K.

I don't think I'd be entitled to any disability/illness-related benefits. I went through Turn2us earlier and ESA was not listed as an option. Not sure why. Possibly due to savings & lack of contributions.

Thanks for the help.

Oldernotwiser

You mention paying for your medications. I hope you know that you can buy a prepayment card for about £10 per month that will cover you for everything?

System

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You mention paying for your medications. I hope you know that you can buy a prepayment card for about £10 per month that will cover you for everything?

Is that for a minimum term?

MrsManda

candyflossing wrote: »

Is that for a minimum term?

Help with prescription costs: NHS

Certain categories of people, or people with certain conditions are able to get free prescriptions.
If you cannot have free prescriptions but get more than 4 prescriptions in 3 months or 14 prescriptions in 12 months you'll save money using a prepaid prescription certificate.

Jowo_2

Can I ask why you thought the student loan would help you on the property ladder? You do know that lenders take into account any outstanding loans, don't you? Not sure that borrowing money for the deposit on a property is a very good idea...