Courses whilst on IS

LL30

I'm exploring my options...Redundant as of 18th Sept and going to have to apply for IS. I've got a few work options, but I'm struggling to sort one that is viable due to childcare issues (long story, I'm negotiating as hard as I can!!). My Mum mentioned that when you're on IS, you are entitled to free tuition for some courses. I've done my degree, but would love to do a post grad which has never been feasible due to the cost. Now I'm quite sure that IS courses won't entail post grad quals, but I was wondering where I can find info on the courses you can do?

Tbh, I'd rather be at work - I can't work out how we're going to live off IS (any suggestions appreciated!) but if i can use a little time to get another qual, at least I wouldn't have been wasting time. Also, what if I were to start a course, and then get a job (I'm thinking online course) would I then have to start paying for it? Not a problem if so, but would need to take it into consideration!

Thanks

Richard1075

I think you will find that if you undertake higher education it is classed as a full time course and you are not entitled to Income Support. I think it is dependant on the hours.

I am not sure that you could get free tuition fees - I know that some adult education classes offered free tuition fees if you were unemployed but that may well have changed with the current round of cuts.

Are you getting a redundancy payment? I don't think you can claim any benefit until that pay in lieu of notice period has finished and also any lump sum will be considered as capital for a mean tested benefit application.

Don't the rules change for single parents claiming Income Support and their children reach 7 years of age in October? I think they have to be claiming Job Seeker's and actively seeking work.

I am assuming you don't have a partner - if you do have a partner, their income will be calculated as part of your claim.

LL30

Yes, I was thinking either an online course or a morning a week, so not full time. I need to keep my brain ticking over! Never done this benefits malarky before, with the exception of TCs, and I'm very much NOT looking forward to it, I really don't know how people do it for years!

Redundancy payment is virtually nothing unfortunately - I'll be getting my normal month's wages at the end of this month and that's it...and my lo is one yr old, with father 'currently unavailable'. Ah the joys, thanks anyway!

Richard1075

you could consider Voluntary work with a charity - most of them offer travel expenses and some give a portion of childcare costs.

That way you can keep you mind ticking over - you get some social contact with others and also you are giving support to others. It can also lead to a job - quite often temporary paid contracts for charities are more about being in the right place at the right time and already knowing the charity in depth.

Equally any charity works adds to your CV and doesn't leave a gap in your employment history.

The most important thing you have to remember is that the job was made redundant and it is not YOU! You are a victim of your ex-employers business and their down-sizing. Keep that thought and try to remain positive! Not easy I know .... Fingers Crossed

saving_pennies

I'm not a benefits expert but I wonder if instead of IS the benefits office will get you to sign on to JSA as it sounds like you will be looking for work.

Regarding courses: In my area there has been some changes this year regarding course fees and IS. In the past, the local colleges offered courses free to those on certain benefits which included IS (people only had to pay an admin charge of £10-20 per course). But this year, the only benefits that entitle someone to study for free are ESA (work related group) or JSA. I think it is also possible to get free tutition as an adult if you have not studied to level 3 (which I think is A-level).

I just checked out open university courses - they still accept income support as a qualifying benefit to apply for help with fees (maybe free courses) but only if you dont already have a degree.

I studied whilst on Income Support (I was claiming as I am disabled and wasn't able to work but could manage a few hours of a course). I had to inform Income support of the course hours and they agreed it was part time and it didn't impact on my income support.

Voluntary work is a good suggestion and will look great on your CV. You may even find a voluntary role leads to networking and finding a job!

LL30

I was the last one standing at work (well bar a volunteer!) and I'm very dubious about the redundancy (I was working a contract that is funded by the NHS which was supposed to end March 2012, they haven't withdrawn the funding, but where's it gone?!) but I'm not going to fight - already been there, seen it and done that on employment tribunals! It was a small CIC, which started out as a charity and expanded (only to contract again!!) that I worked for so fortunately I got to work a fair few different contracts which has added to my CV no end, so in those terms, it's been great Shame about the ending though

I signed up to Do-It a few years ago, thanks for reminding me. I did get a few calls for some voluntary work that I'd applied for, just as I'd secured another contract, so I had to turn it down - must be worth a re-visit! One of my biggest problems is childcare. My lo got a place at our local nursery but only 2 days a week (which was all I was working, so worked out well) but they're full on the other days. I have a friend who is a childminder, but her spaces are filling up rapidly and, as always, the cost is a concern, especially with the loss of WTCs. However, it has to be worth asking if I could get some help towards childcare costs if I were to pick up some voluntary work - thanks again for the prompt!

Positive is as positive does! Thanks for your help xx

LL30

saving_pennies wrote: »

I'm not a benefits expert but I wonder if instead of IS the benefits office will get you to sign on to JSA as it sounds like you will be looking for work.

Regarding courses: In my area there has been some changes this year regarding course fees and IS. In the past, the local colleges offered courses free to those on certain benefits which included IS (people only had to pay an admin charge of £10-20 per course). But this year, the only benefits that entitle someone to study for free are ESA (work related group) or JSA. I think it is also possible to get free tutition as an adult if you have not studied to level 3 (which I think is A-level).

I just checked out open university courses - they still accept income support as a qualifying benefit to apply for help with fees (maybe free courses) but only if you dont already have a degree.

I studied whilst on Income Support (I was claiming as I am disabled and wasn't able to work but could manage a few hours of a course). I had to inform Income support of the course hours and they agreed it was part time and it didn't impact on my income support.

Voluntary work is a good suggestion and will look great on your CV. You may even find a voluntary role leads to networking and finding a job!

Mmm, yes I did wonder about the whole IS vs JSA thing myself! I will be looking for work, and have no problem going on JSA, but a friend advised me that IS was better. I think this has to do with the lack of visits to the Jeremy Kyle holding pen (I apologise if I cause offence, I understand I should not tar everyone with the same brush but the one time I did go in there, I was waiting for Jezza to jump out with a DNA test result).

I would actually really appreciate some help in finding some work. I'm not stupid, I can find job adverts and fill in applications, but I wouldn't say no to some hints and tips - feel a little rusty after a few years of not having to do it! It has been suggested to me that the job centre doesn't actually provide these services though - can anyone advise?

I'm also so stuck on the childcare issue, and I don't know if I'm 'missing a trick' or whether this is just the standard problem. If I had someone to share the burden with, it would be much easier, but alas (oh, I'm getting all 'wo is me'!) I don't. It's really not easy.

Luckily, there are usually lots of voluntary jobs in my area (work with young people with mental health problems - always plenty of them unfortunately) so I think that could be a good way to go. I'll just have to strap my lo to my back if I can't sort this childcare thing out

Thanks for your help xx

PasturesNew

Free courses tend to typically be at the "learn to read/write" or "This is a PC and this is a mouse ... look, you click the mouse to do things" level.

saving_pennies

PasturesNew wrote: »

Free courses tend to typically be at the "learn to read/write" or "This is a PC and this is a mouse ... look, you click the mouse to do things" level.

It is true that some free courses are learning to read or write or use the PC - and these are very valuable courses who those that need them. There are also many other courses which if you are on qualifying benefits you can study free or at an extremely reduced cost. The courses at my local college have been restricted in the last year with all the cuts, but there are still a range of courses from level 1 to level 5 including computing, law, finances/book keeping, enginnering, health and safety, art/jewellery making etc. as well as a range of A-levels free to those who do not have any A-levels.

Mmm, yes I did wonder about the whole IS vs JSA thing myself! I will be looking for work, and have no problem going on JSA, but a friend advised me that IS was better. I think this has to do with the lack of visits to the Jeremy Kyle holding pen (I apologise if I cause offence, I understand I should not tar everyone with the same brush but the one time I did go in there, I was waiting for Jezza to jump out with a DNA test result).

At the end of the day the DWP will decide which one you qualify for, e.g. if you apply for IS they may refuse it leaving you no choice but to go on JSA to get some form of income whilst you are looking for a job.

I would actually really appreciate some help in finding some work. I'm not stupid, I can find job adverts and fill in applications, but I wouldn't say no to some hints and tips - feel a little rusty after a few years of not having to do it! It has been suggested to me that the job centre doesn't actually provide these services though - can anyone advise?

Hmm would seem a logical thing for a job centre to offer! Maybe someone else will be able to confirm if they do or not. In the meantime I found this:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Jobseekers/index.htm


Sorry I got no suggestions re little one. I know childcare is expensive and my broter who works gets some money towards childcare costs but not sure how it works if you are volunteering or studying.

sunnyone

saving_pennies wrote: »

It is true that some free courses are learning to read or write or use the PC - and these are very valuable courses who those that need them. There are also many other courses which if you are on qualifying benefits you can study free or at an extremely reduced cost. The courses at my local college have been restricted in the last year with all the cuts, but there are still a range of courses from level 1 to level 5 including computing, law, finances/book keeping, enginnering, health and safety, art/jewellery making etc. as well as a range of A-levels free to those who do not have any A-levels.


At the end of the day the DWP will decide which one you qualify for, e.g. if you apply for IS they may refuse it leaving you no choice but to go on JSA to get some form of income whilst you are looking for a job.

Hmm would seem a logical thing for a job centre to offer! Maybe someone else will be able to confirm if they do or not. In the meantime I found this:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Jobseekers/index.htm


Sorry I got no suggestions re little one. I know childcare is expensive and my broter who works gets some money towards childcare costs but not sure how it works if you are volunteering or studying.

She can choose either IS/JSA as a lone parent of small children and IS is the best choice for many with very young children rather than drag them down to the JC+ every fortnight and it gets you full rates of CTB/LHA (though the op has a morgage)

Anyone on IS can job hunt.

saving_pennies

sunnyone wrote: »

She can choose either IS/JSA as a lone parent of small children and IS is the best choice for many with very young children rather than drag them down to the JC+ every fortnight and it gets you full rates of CTB/LHA (though the op has a morgage)

Anyone on IS can job hunt.

Thanks for correcting me Like I said I'm not a benefits expert so glad you could could offer more accurate info.

I can see why IS would be best in this situation and glad that option is available.