Incapacity benefit as a student?

yenool

Can anyone tell me if students (FT @ university) are allowed to continue claiming incapcity benefit?

If not when would the DWP need to be informed and when would the benefit cease; prior to starting, the first day of term or only after student finance has come through?

NASA_2

F/T education does not affect IB but if you also claim Income Support based on the IB then it may stop.

yenool

NASA wrote: »

F/T education does not affect IB but if you also claim Income Support based on the IB then it may stop.

Ok thanks. Any internet links or anything showing this info? The directgov website is so frustrating it is enough to make you cry!

Would one need to inform the DWP of a change in circumstances?

NASA_2

Dont know of any internet links but it is definately the case that you can be in education and it doesnt stop you claiming and receiving a contributory benefit (Aside from JSA) so long as all the other conditions are satisfied.

skater_kat

i expect you have to write and tell them you are going into FT education

Oldernotwiser

IS is a means tested benefit and will be affected by the student finance you would get when you go to university.

yenool

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

IS is a means tested benefit and will be affected by the student finance you would get when you go to university.

Were not talking about IS though.

Incapacity Benefit (IB) is not means tested.

robpw2

you can get incapacity whilst at university and you may be entitled to housing benefit under vulnerability rules but you would have to inform them

yenool

robpw2 wrote: »

you can get incapacity whilst at university and you may be entitled to housing benefit under vulnerability rules but you would have to inform them

Would sending a (recorded) letter to arrive the day I start the course be acceptable? - I don't want to risk everything being stopped before I actually enrol as I'd have nothing else to live off.

Plus to be honest I'm having second thoughts as to how I'm going to cope health wise anyway.

robpw2

yenool wrote: »

Would sending a (recorded) letter to arrive the day I start the course be acceptable? - I don't want to risk everything being stopped before I actually enrol as I'd have nothing else to live off.

Plus to be honest I'm having second thoughts as to how I'm going to cope health wise anyway.

i would say so , as long as you inform them within a reasonable time

saving_pennies

I don't get IB as I didn't pay enough NI so I got IS instead. I went to college/uni whilst on IS and was still able to claim all benefits, however I did not get student loan as my course was not eligible.

If you talk to Student Finance England, there is an alternative to the student loans/maintanence grant called Special Support Grant for people on benefits so that it doesn't affect benefits - I think it is if you are on IS, not sure about IB but I'm sure SFE can tell you.

As for telling benefits office - you would need to let them know that you are doing the course. It was never a problem for me, they just needed to know what hours I was doing.

Have you looked at support at uni. I assume if you are on IB you have some health issues. There is Disabled Student Allowance you can claim for additional costs due to disability and this includes some individual support if you need this as well as specialist equipment if it is recommended.

Good luck with your course.