what benifits can i receive?

joehunt

I am 18 and currently study at college for 11.5hrs/week but it is classed as a full time course. I live on my own in a flat, but my girlfriend can stay for weeks at a time (she is in full time education at school). I receive £500/month from a trust fund (not in my name) to cover living cost and have had 6 months rent paid for upfront by a family member. I am currently unemployed but looking for work on my free days/evenings. Am I entitled to housing benifits, income support and alike?

nancyo

Think your doing very well without benefits!

Oldernotwiser

Fortunately, absolutely nothing!

joehunt

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Fortunately, absolutely nothing!

i have to pay back the money im given within 12 months, it was all to just get me set up as i lost my home. the trust fund is my mums pension and i am contracted to pay back the money. i will stop receiving 500/month in 2 months time. so ill have 0 income and will only have 4 months rent secured. is there no benifits available?

Caz3121

Full time students (without children) cannot get housing benefits - you should apply to the college for funding or loans

joehunt

i have spoken to my college regarding EMA and they say if i live on my own i have to receive income support to receive EMA. I'll have to go back to jobcentre and get more info. they didnt seem very helpful last time :L

Jowo_2

Even if you are entitled to housing benefit (which if you are a full time student without disabilities and dependents you won't be), it won't make much difference.

Benefits never take into account the personal debts that the person has. You appear to owe £3000, plus the sum of the rent you borrowed, so perhaps 6k in total? If that's the sum that's owed in just 6 months, you are looking at encountering huge debts before the end of the college course, perhaps 10k (just guessing but you can work this out and confirm your estimated debts by the end of your course).

Local Housing Allowance (housing benefit) for those under 25 (soon to change to 35) is payable only at the rate of a room in a shared property, not a self contained property. You can check this on the LHA direct website. This is likely to leave you with a shortfall between LHA and the rent due, not that you are eligible to receive it. But I write this so you understand that even if you were unemployed, you still wouldn't receive sufficient benefits to run your own place, until you reach 35 years of age - 17 years from now...

You should ask your college advice services for help, perhaps they have a welfare advice person or hardship fund. Download the Budget Planner from the Free tools section of MSE so you can identify your expenses and therefore see where you can make savings and calculate your current and future debts.

Any reason why you can't live at home or share with others which will reduce your outgoings? Not many 18 year olds live in their own places (mainly because they can't afford them, even when they are in full time employment).

Oldernotwiser

joehunt wrote: »

i have to pay back the money im given within 12 months, it was all to just get me set up as i lost my home. the trust fund is my mums pension and i am contracted to pay back the money. i will stop receiving 500/month in 2 months time. so ill have 0 income and will only have 4 months rent secured. is there no benifits available?

Always a good idea to give full information at the start and not to drip feed it into the thread!

bigbill

What level is the course, advanced or non-advanced?

Indie_Kid

You should get council tax exemption.