Income support for full time student (single parent)

oliviatwist

Hi everyone,

I am being made redundant after 7 years in my current job. I work from home so am able to study for my degree (classed as a full time course) and also look after my 2 year old daughter.

I'm now looking at my options. I hope to be able to find a new job and also complete my degree. But I don't know if a) I would have time to study if i am lucky enough to get a new job straight away. or b) would i be able to afford to continue to study if i don't find a job.

The only benefit i have received up to now is child benefit of £20.30 per week, so i am a bit clueless!!!

I have been told by the job centre that you can claim income support if you are a full time student and a lone parent. I can't find much information about it so I was wondering if anyone else was in this position and if so how much help do you get?

I'd really apreciate any input

Indie_Kid

You can claim IS; but student loans will be taken into account and IS may be reduced. A single parent can get up to £64.45 per week.

Oldernotwiser

All your student funding is used to assess any means tested benefits but you may well still receive some help with housing. Student funding for lone parents is quite generous, so you should still be able to manage.

livermum

I was a single parent when I was in uni and I was not able to claim any IS as the loans and things that I received pushed me over the threshold. I ended up having to take a part time job that fitted around uni and around my daughter to top up my money. I did get my council tax paid but that was about it to be honest, although things may have changed now. Good Luck

MrsManda

As a lone parent and full time student you are entitled to:
£4745 Maintanence Loan
£2905 Special Support Grant
£1508 Parent Learning Allowance
Childcare grant of 85% of costs upto £148.75 a week
You will also get a Higher Education maintanence grant from your university

You are also entitled to claim Child Tax Credit.

In terms of benefits you may be able to claim:
Income Support
HB/LHA
JSA during the summer holida.y
You won't pay council tax as a student.

The Special Support Grant, Childcare Grant and Parent's Learning Allowance will not count as income when applying for income assessed benefits.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/Extrahelp/DG_171503

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10034876

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_070816

Oldernotwiser

livermum wrote: »

I was a single parent when I was in uni and I was not able to claim any IS as the loans and things that I received pushed me over the threshold. I ended up having to take a part time job that fitted around uni and around my daughter to top up my money. I did get my council tax paid but that was about it to be honest, although things may have changed now. Good Luck

You wouldn't have had to pay any CT, as students are exempt.

livermum

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You wouldn't have had to pay any CT, as students are exempt.

yeah that's what I said.

oliviatwist

thanks everyone!

squif33

Just to echo what others have said, i'm currently a full time uni student and a single mum and am not able to claim IS during term time, but you can claim for the summer break. I recieve some housing benefit towards my rent, as well as child benefit and child tax credit (CTC don't count any of the student loans or grants as income). I work PT as a bank suppport worker to fit around my studies and my son and manage ok financially so hopefully you should be in the same position.

hope this helps. Good luck and Best wishes,
Claire

Oldernotwiser

livermum wrote: »

yeah that's what I said.

No you didn't:p

oliviatwist

"I did get my council tax paid but that was about it to be honest"

yeah she did