Housing Benefit Advice Needed - I'm a Mature Student

PhilJack

Hi,

I'm 29 and have just started a 3 year foundation degree course at college (full time). I work in the evenings now at my job therefore I only do 16 hours a week.

Simple question is will I get housing benefit? And if not how am I supposed to pay my rent? Is it covered by some other means?

Thanks in advance.

sunnyone

PhilJack wrote: »

Hi,

I'm 29 and have just started a 3 year foundation degree course at college (full time). I work in the evenings now at my job therefore I only do 16 hours a week.

Simple question is will I get housing benefit? And if not how am I supposed to pay my rent? Is it covered by some other means?

Thanks in advance.

Full time students cant get housing benefit, how did you think you were going to pay your rent while you studied?

And how are you planning to keep yourself?

PhilJack

Well I've got my 16 hours a week in work. I guess I will just have to try and increase those hours.

sunnyone

PhilJack wrote: »

Well I've got my 16 hours a week in work. I guess I will just have to try and increase those hours.

16 times minimum wage wont pay your rent, never mind all the bills though you will be exempt from council tax while a full time student.

Did you assume HB would pay your rent and you would mange on your wage for living expences?

You wouldnt be the first since term bagan to post here assuming the same.

Have you explored student funding to pay your bills?

Oldernotwiser

As you're a full time student you should be claiming the student loan and grant package. You're ineligible for benefits.

You won't have to pay council tax and your part time job will provide the extras.

PhilJack

sunnyone wrote: »

16 times minimum wage wont pay your rent, never mind all the bills though you will be exempt from council tax while a full time student.

Did you assume HB would pay your rent and you would mange on your wage for living expences?

You wouldnt be the first since term bagan to post here assuming the same.

Have you explored student funding to pay your bills?

Yes I did presume that and it looks like I should have looked into this before going to college. I will get grants etc which will help with my rent I suppose and my hours in work I could live on, but by the sounds of it its financially impossible to do what I'm doing, would I be right?

sunnyone

PhilJack wrote: »

Yes I did presume that and it looks like I should have looked into this before going to college. I will get grants etc which will help with my rent I suppose and my hours in work I could live on, but by the sounds of it its financially impossible to do what I'm doing, would I be right?

Unless you have money saved being a full time student isnt going to work really unless you are at uni and getting the full raft of student funding.

What level are you wanting to study at and is it your first qualification studied for that level?

Pepzofio

sunnyone wrote: »

Full time students cant get housing benefit, how did you think you were going to pay your rent while you studied?

And how are you planning to keep yourself?

There is an exception made for full time students with dependent children, although you would probably not get full HB as they count student loans etc as income.

ETA: I'm not suggesting going out and having a baby in order to study, btw! Just thought I'd point it out as you don't mention whether or not you have any dependents.