student carer needing help

vickyb25

Hi thanks for looking at my post i hope u can help.

At the moment I am a full time carer for my mum, caring for her for the stipulated 35hrs+ a week. Since sept 2010 i am now classed as a full time student ( although this is only 12 hours a week).

Since becoming a student in september my claim for carers allowance (CA) has stopped because im in full time education ( im 27 yrs old by the way). whilst claming CA i was also in receipt of income support (IS) too as unable to hold a full time job and commit to the caring role too, this is impossible to do for me. Since sept my IS has also stopped too meaning i have no income at all minus the basic grant i get being a student 3 times a year.

I am still in the position where i cant work because of my caring role so where do i stand?

My question is what if anything am i entitled too?

To make things worse i have debt agencies chasing me for money i simply do not have, the staff their are not bothered about my position and simply want the money and continue to harass me and also my mum (who is obviously ill) calling her house phone when told on several occasions not too.

I just don't know what to do?

If anyone has any advice id be much appreciated!!

Thanks

Oldernotwiser

You mention a "basic grant", aren't you getting your student loan and bursary?

Does your mother get help with her rent or does she own the place where you both live?

Unfortunately, neither student funding nor benefits takes any account of debts.

vickyb25

Hi yes thats what i receive the loan.

My mum owns the house we live in now so no rent needs to be paid.

Oldernotwiser

vickyb25 wrote: »

Hi yes thats what i receive the loan.

My mum owns the house we live in now so no rent needs to be paid.

In that case, as an independent student, don't you receive the grant and bursary as well?

Most people have to pay rent out of their student loan/grant so you should be much better off than your fellow students and also better off than before you became a student.

Jowo_2

For advice on how to handle debts, post an SOA on the debt free wanabee board and the members there will advise you.

Oldernotwiser

I'm confused now. I can see on an earlier post that you get ALG, so how do you get a loan?

vickyb25

my loan i receive is less than i received through CA and IS. although my mum doesnt pay rent as her house is now paid for i still have to obviously pay keep to her for living in her house and paying my way im not rent free in that way.

i didnt qualify for ALG (after being told i did and then applying for it) while in college before sept as my previous financial earnings (as was previously employed 2009 but had to leave to commit to caring role) meant that i earnt too much to be in receipt of the ALG.

@jowo ill post in the debt free part too thanks.

vickyb25

i got the loan because im a student?

Oldernotwiser

vickyb25 wrote: »

i got the loan because im a student?

So you're a degree level student rather than one who claims ALG as you mention on an earlier thread?

Edit: Sorry, I've worked it out now - you were doing a course where you got ALG and now you're doing a degree level course.

I'll stop confusing the issue!

vickyb25

yeah exactly ALG was in relation to a college access course from sept 09-may 10 which i never ended up being able to claim anyway.

ellie101

hello Vicky....

There is an advice line here for carers:

http://www.carersuk.org/Contactus

They advised me when caring for my mother. Only open certain hours and busy, but tend to know their stuff... not sure how much they know about grants and students but worth a try.

Also, depending upon what is wrong with your mother, some charities give grants. With cancer, Macmillan sometimes assist (neighbours got a fridge, we were about to get a grant for something). But not sure if all charities can do that.

I know that being a student can make you skint and along with caring it must be full-on with not getting time to work to get a bit extra... so good luck with it all.