help for a student

dmg24

RazWaz wrote: »

Even so, I really don't see how it would hurt to try. OP's partner might not be working fulltime, and if their situation changes, they will be able to get claims sorted out a lot faster.

What is the point in claiming when you know the answer will be no?

stephy110288 wrote: »

Ok what is WCA? Is that the medical test? I might sound naive and stupid but I have never claimed any benefits so don't know anything about this but would my partners income definitely be taken into account? We live in a house share with another friend, an keep our finances separate why would they presume he pays for me? Don't shoot me down for sounding stupid but I honestly don't have a clue how this works other than what I've read on the internet so I really don't know much that's why I've posted on here. I'm aware that I may not pass the test yet as I know a few people with my condition have failed, but I want to know what I can do now before I get in a nasty situation with no money

You live with your partner, so you will need to declare his income. How much does he earn? Did you work before uni?

Yep, the WCA is the medical part of the ESA process. Whilst some students do pass it (I passed it when it was IB), it is difficult (though not impossible) to argue that you are not fit for work when you are able to study full time.

Oldernotwiser

RazWaz wrote: »

Yes, but once the DSA is in place the OP should be able to place a claim for ESA(IB).

Sorry again, it doesn't work like that. Many people receive DSA who have no chance of claiming ESA.

Oldernotwiser

stephy110288 wrote: »

hi thanks for the advice... my partner helps as much as he can but he's only just graduated and is on low income and doesnt really have much money himself... he is 23 so doesnt qualify for working tax credits or anything. we keep our finances completely separate and split everything down the middle

If you live with your partner you will be assessed as a couple for means tested benefits - this works both ways as he would be assessed on your student income if he applied for JSA,

stephy110288

He has alot in savings from an inhertiance so i guess there really wouldn't be any point in me applying for anything that asks for his info... he works full time and is on about £14,000 at the moment. hes on a temporary contract so could be unemployed at the drop of a hat really. our rent is 440 so 220 each. my loan is jan needs ro cover 5 months rent which will leave me about 500 left to last me until the next installment. Stressed now!

MrsManda

You may be entitled to some benefits but unless you've paid enough National Insurance contributions you will assessed on your income and that of your partner.

Information on benefits for HE students can be found on the direct.gov.uk website HERE

If you have care/mobility needs due to your illness, they've existed for three months and are likely to last another six months then you may be entitled to Disability Living Allowance which is not income assessed.
Financial Help for Disabled Students - Direct.gov.uk

If your partner is eligible for income based benefits he can put in a joint application to claim for you both.

Jowo_2

stephy110288 wrote: »

...my partner helps as much as he can but he's only just graduated and is on low income and doesnt really have much money himself......we keep our finances completely separate and split everything down the middle

The benefits system is premised on an expectation that partners provide each other with mutual support and assistance and this is why it includes your partner's income and savings.

Your personal financial preferences and arrangements are irrelevant for the purposes of means tested benefits. The state expects people in a relationship to help each other and the public purse not to have to pick up the bill because they don't feel an obligation to do this.

The benefit regulations do explicitly demand people in a relationship who live together look after each other.

stephy110288 wrote: »

...He has alot in savings from an inhertiance so i guess there really wouldn't be any point in me applying for anything that asks for his info... he works full time and is on about £14,000 at the moment. hes on a temporary contract so could be unemployed at the drop of a hat really. our rent is 440 so 220 each. my loan is jan needs ro cover 5 months rent which will leave me about 500 left to last me until the next installment. Stressed now!

He nets around £960 per month and has a heap of savings. You are sick and broke. And he's not offered to pay extra towards the rent? If the situations were reversed,do you think you would have offered to pay more towards household expenses?

Do you have a financial problem or a relationship problem?!

Indie_Kid

RazWaz wrote: »

It could be worth looking into a disabled students allowance, as it entities you to claim benefits while still getting student loans. The amount you'll get is still based on what the law says you need-what your student loans are. The big plus though is that you can claim Housing benefit.

You need to be deaf or be entitled to the disability premiums within benefits to claim LHA / HB. If you're not entitled to the disability premium or deaf, you need to be sick for at least 28 weeks before you can claim ESA.

You may be entitled to some benefits but unless you've paid enough National Insurance contributions you will assessed on your income and that of your partner.

I think there's something called ESA in Youth? This isn't based on income or savings and you don't need to have paid NI in the past.

You qualify for contributory ESA without satisfying the contribution conditions if:

you are 16 or over when your entitlement begins; and
you have had limited capability for work for at least 28 consecutive weeks; and
your period of limited capability for work began before your 20th birthday (25th birthday if you were registered on a course of education or training for at least three months before your 20th birthday and you attended the course of training in the first academic term after registration. The course must have ended in the last two tax years before the calendar year in which you claim ESA); and
if you are under 19, you are not attending a course of education for 21 hours or more a week, excluding special tuition for people with disabilities; and
you are not a ‘person subject to immigration control’ and satisfy certain residence conditions. See CPAG’s Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook for details.

Source - http://onlineservices.cpag.org.uk/book/chs/157396

stephy110288

No, thank you I don't have relationship problems. My partner doesnt leave me to starve, he helps where he can, but he has things to pay for too. and I do not "expect" the state to pay for anything, just as I don't expect him to pay for anything. I worked in a 20k job for 3 years before coming to uni, so I have paid tax, I am not expecting handouts, I just wanted to know if there was any extra help I could get until my health improves
I'll look into all the helpful suggestions from everyone, thank you very much hadn't heard of ESA youth one so thats worth a look

Oldernotwiser

stephy110288 wrote: »

He has alot in savings from an inhertiance so i guess there really wouldn't be any point in me applying for anything that asks for his info... he works full time and is on about £14,000 at the moment. hes on a temporary contract so could be unemployed at the drop of a hat really. our rent is 440 so 220 each. my loan is jan needs ro cover 5 months rent which will leave me about 500 left to last me until the next installment. Stressed now!

Personally I would question the relationship if you have a chronic medical condition and your partner, on a decent wage with substantial savings, is insisting on your paying half and letting you struggle because of it. Does he know how worried you are?

Perhaps you use the word "partner" in a different way from me but I would not even expect a boyfriend to behave like this!

AnxiousMum

Are you 'estranged' from your parents? You may be able to have your student loan re looked at and have that taken into account as you being an independent student - but again - they may take into consideration your partner's earnings and savings, as the grant part of student loans is means tested.