Given conflicting advice about claiming ESA/JSA as a student

borgmanjayce

I recently finished a Foundation Certificate course at John Moores University in Liverpool at the end of March and I was told a few months ago that as someone who's currently claiming DLA because of my Grand Mal Epilepsy (ironically enough I had a seizure yesterday as well as ones in the past two previous months which to me is three too many!) that I could claim ESA for the period between the end of the course and September if I got to follow my previous course with a degree.

At the moment, I'm just waiting for the 25th of this month to arrive as I've been told to come in on that day to get my results.

With my type of epilepsy, it obviously affects the type of work that I can do, but at the same time I'm not too sure whether I can put in a claim for ESA or JSA or neither especially as I'm still not too sure whether I'll be getting a place on the degree course that I want to do in September as I may or may not have failed one of the modules that I need to pass to go onto a degree course at the same university.

At the end of the day, every little help especially as quite a bit of my money that I budgeted from my funds goes towards clearing off various debts and if I can get a answer that will help me, I'll be very grateful as I don't want to break the law if it turns out I've put in an application for ESA (if I do so) when I should have applied for JSA.

Cpt.Scarlet

ESA is not paid because you have a particular condition but because you are incapable of working as a result of it, so if you doctor agrees that this is the case and will provide Fit notes, then you can can claim.

However, as you have been in full time education, and your epilepsy only affects you intermitently the liklihood of you being (a) signed off, and (b) passing the ESA medical is low.

If you claim JSA then you can restrict the type of work you have to apply for as part of the contract you have to sign.

borgmanjayce

Cpt.Scarlet wrote: »

ESA is not paid because you have a particular condition but because you are incapable of working as a result of it, so if you doctor agrees that this is the case and will provide Fit notes, then you can can claim.

However, as you have been in full time education, and your epilepsy only affects you intermitently the liklihood of you being (a) signed off, and (b) passing the ESA medical is low.

If you claim JSA then you can restrict the type of work you have to apply for as part of the contract you have to sign.

I'll definitely apply for JSA then if it's going to be difficult applying for ESA... I just wish there were more advice available for people with disabilities like Epilepsy on what they can and can't claim, benefits-wise...

MrsManda

borgmanjayce wrote: »

I'll definitely apply for JSA then if it's going to be difficult applying for ESA... I just wish there were more advice available for people with disabilities like Epilepsy on what they can and can't claim, benefits-wise...

Have you spoken to Epilepsy Action? They can give you advice and support. Have you spoken to your student support services?

If you are unable to work at all due to your illness - i.e. your doctor would be willing to write you a sick note declaring you unfit for any work then you may be able to claim ESA. If not, then you can claim JSA.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10034876

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/EducationAndTraining/HigherEducation/DG_10035904

borgmanjayce

MrsManda wrote: »

Have you spoken to Epilepsy Action? They can give you advice and support. Have you spoken to your student support services?

If you are unable to work at all due to your illness - i.e. your doctor would be willing to write you a sick note declaring you unfit for any work then you may be able to claim ESA. If not, then you can claim JSA.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10034876

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/EducationAndTraining/HigherEducation/DG_10035904

Epilepsy Action? No, I haven't spoken to them. Usually, with my seizures, they're every 2-3 months but I've been having one a month since March this year with a pretty bad one last month (which wrecked my mobile phone which was in my jeans pocket and forced me to send it off for repair) and one yesterday which was different from the usual ones as I didn't have a blackout like I usually do, but rather a Petit-Mal type one instead where I just zoned out and my arms were shaking like crazy instead.

I have a appointment made for tomorrow with a Disability Adviser at JMU as she's helping me out fill in the form that I need to send away to get some money refunded for expenses incurred as a DS and I'll definitely speak to her as well as Epilepsy Action.

MCGONIS

borgmanjayce wrote: »

I recently finished a Foundation Certificate course at John Moores University in Liverpool at the end of March and I was told a few months ago that as someone who's currently claiming DLA because of my Grand Mal Epilepsy (ironically enough I had a seizure yesterday as well as ones in the past two previous months which to me is three too many!) that I could claim ESA for the period between the end of the course and September if I got to follow my previous course with a degree.

At the moment, I'm just waiting for the 25th of this month to arrive as I've been told to come in on that day to get my results.

With my type of epilepsy, it obviously affects the type of work that I can do, but at the same time I'm not too sure whether I can put in a claim for ESA or JSA or neither especially as I'm still not too sure whether I'll be getting a place on the degree course that I want to do in September as I may or may not have failed one of the modules that I need to pass to go onto a degree course at the same university.

At the end of the day, every little help especially as quite a bit of my money that I budgeted from my funds goes towards clearing off various debts and if I can get a answer that will help me, I'll be very grateful as I don't want to break the law if it turns out I've put in an application for ESA (if I do so) when I should have applied for JSA.

Hi. Not sure if this is any use but if you are studying and moving from one level of a qualification to a higher or more advanced level after the summer break, you are not entitled to claim benefits.

You will be classed as a "full time student". They are not entitled to benefit until they complete their study or officially withdraw from the course.

DLA is paid to people who study/work/claim benefit. Just because you receive this - does not mean you will get ESA.

You could always ask at the Jobcentre. They will have a list of term end dates for each university/college and advise you from there.

Hope that helps a bit.