Been refused JSA need advice urgently

abby1234519

meme2012 wrote: »

Looking for a bit of advice here.

I am a full-time lone parent student. During the summer break last year I was able to claim income support as my child was 7. Income support advised at that time, that this summer I would have to apply for JSA as my child would be over 8. My university and several other places (E.g. Cpag, NUS) confirmed this info. On page 17 of the JSA handbook it clearly states that full time lone parent students and student couples can claim JSA. And regulation 15 of the Social Security Act was amended in 2008 to allow full-time lone parent students to claim JSA during the summer vacation - to my knowledge this has not changed. However, I applied for JSA two weeks ago and have been refused - reason given is that apparently I'm deemed not available for work, even though it is clearly stated on my application that I am available for full-time work upto the 23rd September 2011. When I called JSA dept they told me that a full time loan parent student cannot claim JSA...but as previously mentioned, this is not what is relayed elsewhere. I have now been told that I will need to appeal the decision and that this could take months!

My problem is that I only have enough savings to cover basic utility bills (electric, water rates, insurance) until I return to university. I receive £50 child tax credit and £20 child benefit per week , but I have to pay £60 rent per week, I have no other income whatsoever. I have been applying for jobs (5 in last week)...but nothing yet, not even an interview. I really need some advice on what I can do, I must be entitled to some form of help.

Does anyone have any advice, please?

Phone your university about the "summer assistance fund" they would need a letter from the benefits dep confirming they can't pay you anything.

This fund exists in each university for students who CANNOT work over the summer but cannot receive benefits. But they do need written confirmation of this. As to whether there are any funds available is a different matter. For instance when my income support stops in September I will have a letter from DWP confirming I won't recieve anymore and then I will get £320 from the university to last untill my loan on 26th September

abby1234519

meme2012 wrote: »

My offical end date is June 2012. However, legislation states that full-time lone parent students can claim JSA during summer vacations.

oldmotherreilly wrote: »

Although you are not attending university at the moment, what is the official end date of your course that has been given to DWP? The universities supply them with a list of the dates as you would definitely not be allowed to claim JSA until after this date has passed.

The DWP states that the end of the university term ends on the 28th June. The student loans and grants are meant to last 43 weeks (sometimes 42).

But when they backdate anything ie income support or JSA they wouldn't backdate before that date.

meme2012

abby1234519 wrote: »

The DWP states that the end of the university term ends on the 28th June. The student loans and grants are meant to last 43 weeks (sometimes 42).

Hi, can you point me to where you obtained this information, please?

abby1234519

meme2012 wrote: »

Hi, can you point me to where you obtained this information, please?

From my income support advisor! And my university financial advisor.

My letter from the income support confirms that they will pay me from 28th June (so I was wrong its the 27th that your loan lasts up till) I can find the exact wording if you want and it MIGHT be in the dwp guide I will have a look in that.

From 1st September you aren't paid JSA or IS thats another rule.

My first stop was the summer assistance fund, its not publicised at universities you have to ask about it. So they know my IS will stop 1st September so have confirmed they will give me a certain amount after the 1st.

"If you are claiming benefits while studying your Student Loan will be taken into account as income for the 43 weeks between September and the end of June"

Edit: Be aware that it does say on all the information that you "may" claim. Not that you will get it. You should though. BUT seriously find out if your university is doing the summer assistance fund as the deadline for mine passed this week just gone

I would phone university and ask them about summer assistance fund, mine was administrated by the same people who administer the Access to learning fund as they are both government monies

meme2012

abby1234519 wrote: »

From my income support advisor! And my university financial advisor.

My letter from the income support confirms that they will pay me from 28th June (so I was wrong its the 27th that your loan lasts up till) I can find the exact wording if you want and it MIGHT be in the dwp guide I will have a look in that.

From 1st September you aren't paid JSA or IS thats another rule.

My first stop was the summer assistance fund, its not publicised at universities you have to ask about it. So they know my IS will stop 1st September so have confirmed they will give me a certain amount after the 1st.

"If you are claiming benefits while studying your Student Loan will be taken into account as income for the 43 weeks between September and the end of June"

Edit: Be aware that it does say on all the information that you "may" claim. Not that you will get it. You should though. BUT seriously find out if your university is doing the summer assistance fund as the deadline for mine passed this week just gone

I would phone university and ask them about summer assistance fund, mine was administrated by the same people who administer the Access to learning fund as they are both government monies

Thanks so much for the advice. I know that uni's have hardship funds, but I didn't know about the summer fund. I have an appointment with the student advice centre at 10am tomorrow, I will ask them about it then.

Thanks again.

abby1234519

meme2012 wrote: »

Thanks so much for the advice. I know that uni's have hardship funds, but I didn't know about the summer fund. I have an appointment with the student advice centre at 10am tomorrow, I will ask them about it then.

Thanks again.

If they say the deadline has passed, just beg and beg and beg! At the end of the day they can help you!

meme2012

It has been confirmed today by the DWP that I am eligible to claim JSA during the summer vacation. My first payment has been issued and should hit my bank account Monday 25th July.


So, to confirm, should any other full-time lone parent students with a child aged over seven be misinformed by JCP that they cannot claim JSA during the summer vacation...

Full-time lone parent students with a child over seven whom are enrolled on an undergraduate course CAN claim JSA during the summer vacation.


You will need the following documents when you apply:


1) details of your loan/grants payments for the current year from Student Finance
2) A letter from your university confirming term dates, the date of your last exam (if applicable) and that you are no-longer expected to attend tuition-led lectures until the start of the next academic year.
3) Your passport
4) Most recent statements from all your bank accounts


Many thanks to all those that offered advice in this thread. Particularly, crystaltipps and abbey1234519.