Leaving full-time education and claiming JSA etc

925dancer

After months of swimming against an ever largening tide, the time has come for me to possibly admit defeat and leave full-time education. I made a massive error with my finances over the last couple of months and it has left me with no money to pay my rent let alone course materials (I am doing a costume course and it's very expensive just to keep up with assessment materials needed).

I have been looking for a second job since last year (as has someone else on my course so it's not just me being hopeless) and to date all I've managed is three weeks Christmas temping where I only got 8 hours a week.

I applied to hardship but they have the purse strings held so tight it covered a couple of bills the month I was awarded (on the letter it claims this is based on the whole term).

So I think I may have to bite the bullet and withdraw, as much as it pains me to do so as I worked really hard to get onto the course as a mature student with little experience in the field.

After all that, my question is, how does it work with claiming JSA and housing? I'm looking for full-time work, updated my CV on all the jobsites but in the meantime will they award me anything? Until I officially withdraw from the course I'm assuming my student loan installments will still come through, will they just count this as income until such times as it does stop? (I'm in Scotland so receive payments in monthly installments). Obviously I don't want to defraud anyone and will be thoroughly investigating all avenues (including begging to student services again) but wanted to know where I stood with regards to benefits claims should I need them.

MrsManda

If you are classed as a full time student you will not be able to claim income based benefits such as JSA unless you meet certain criteria (being a lone parent, having a partner where you are both students and responsible for a child ...)

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

As you are a student your loans etc... will continue being paid until you withdraw from the course though if you are not attending this may be classed as withdrawing by your university. You would need to inform the SAAS as they can claim back any overpayments. Not sure how it works with grants within the SAAS but it is possible that they may request repayment of grants immediately (this can occur in England through SLC).

If you withdraw from your course you can apply for benefits straight away. If you have enough National Insurance contributions in the relevant years then you'll automatically qualify for Contribution based benefits. If not, then you will be income assessed.

925dancer

I know I'm entitled to nothing as a student still in receipt of loans (I don't get any grants).

You've answered my question though, withdraw and all is dandy with regards to claiming. As I said, I want to do it above board, it's just trying to get SAAS and college to play along and withdraw me properly! SLC still hasn't got a change of bank details correct after two months, hence my now being in a position to possibly have to leave. Mostly my own stupidity though so can't cry too much.

Thanks for clearing it up. It seems i may be declined any benefits immediately until confirmation of withdrawal from my course.