Student - JSA, grants, & living with grandparents

birkee

I have to agree with some points here, but some of you are completely wrong.

We accepted responsibility for our Grandson until he was 18, when he was elliglible to be independant via work.
From 18, he enrolled in a course with the Princes Trust, and completed that. Not only that, he then did voluntary work afterwards, painting park benches, building a garden on an OAP home etc, (and had to put up with comments from 'older not wiser' people making comments thinking they were offenders doing community service.
Then he decided he wanted to go to college, and they make me financially responsible for his keep. When does my financial responsibility for his keep end?
And as for the snide comment about my bank statements concealing embarrassing evidence. (bestpud)What stupidity! The bank would also have that evidence.
The objection was to making him MY financial responsibilty, instead of treating him as an adult, who was unemployed, and wanted to go to college.
As soon as I provide my bank statements, I accept responsibility immediately, and that means I'm responsible forever.
Perhaps it was too much, to expect him to set about making his own life, and earning his own income, but what I didn't expect, was to stretch my pension three ways while he went through college.

And yes, in response to another post, he is using the money he saved whilst he was on JSA, but that won't last for long.

And for the smart as*es who made comments about morality.
I'm registered disabled, and have difficulty standing, and my Wife has had two heart bypasses, the second of which she barely survived, she also receives a small DLA, yet our morality is questioned about looking after a Grandson?
We are having trouble looking after ourselves, without the cooking, washing, and cleaning for a third person.

It looks as though he will just have to pack up college, and live gord knows where on JSA.
Thanks for the 'holier than thou' points of view people.

bestpud

They see your income as relevant anyway, so that bit won't be any different. But either way, you had already given them financial evidence so you'd accepted responsibility, by your definition?? You were annoyed about bank statements!

He really should be helping around the house - he isn't offering so you need to make him.

He really should have a grant - only you are stopping him.

birkee

Wee_Willy_Harris wrote: »

Am I the only one who is astounded that the moral standards in this country have now sunk so low that even grandchildren have to be financially viable?

You're his grandparent. The state isn't and neither is the college. If you can't, or won't, support his desire for education and give him the kind of start in life that most grandparents would be proud of, then at least stop putting barriers in his way and provide the necessary information for him to be more self reliant.

Thanks for you arrogance.
We are neither financially or physically able to cope with a Grandson living with us.
At our age, it is a question of whether we die first, or go into care, not whether we have a new career choice on supporting a Grandson. It's too much for us NOW!

Just out of interest, what barriers are we putting in his way?
If you mean bank statements, then if he has to move out, what happens then? If we move house, what happens then? If we die, what happens then?
This needs resolution that applies to the individual, not the relationship between himself and other people. That's subject to change.

shop-to-drop

Does he still have parents? If so are they not contributing at all or supporting him in any way? If not surely you would be better off to actually become his guardian and start claiming child benefit, CTC etc.

easy

birkee, first of all I wonder where your grandson's parents are in all this? Of course he shouldn't be your financial responsibility, he should still be cared for by his parents - if they couldn't cope with living with him, they could at least have offered some maintenance support, and be helping to support THEIR child through his education. I'd suggest you contact your child and child-in-law and ask for some financial help from them.

I have to agree that you are making life difficult for yourselves/your grandson by not co-operating with the authorities on the issue of a grant. He is not independant, you have stated that clearly, and so (as you took him on as your responsibilty, just as grandparents should do in such circumstances), you have to continue that position now. I don't really understand what you are afraid/ashamed of by submitting your details ? You may find that your DLA allowances are not taken into account when calculating your income for this purpose (just a guess, I don't know if they will be or not).

My advice would be to take a step back, calm down, and adhere to the due process of the grant application. Oh, and do have a word with the boy's parents. From what you say they should be proud of him, not casting him out without a thought (or a penny).

bestpud

birkee wrote: »

Thanks for you arrogance.
We are neither financially or physically able to cope with a Grandson living with us.
At our age, it is a question of whether we die first, or go into care, not whether we have a new career choice on supporting a Grandson. It's too much for us NOW!

Just out of interest, what barriers are we putting in his way?
If you mean bank statements, then if he has to move out, what happens then? If we move house, what happens then? If we die, what happens then?
This needs resolution that applies to the individual, not the relationship between himself and other people. That's subject to change.

He would then be unable to rely on family and could claim he grant for himself.

At present you are supporting him so he cannot do that.

easy

birkee wrote: »

Just out of interest, what barriers are we putting in his way?
If you mean bank statements, then if he has to move out, what happens then? If we move house, what happens then? If we die, what happens then?
This needs resolution that applies to the individual, not the relationship between himself and other people. That's subject to change.

But the grant application will consider his circumstances NOW. If his circumstances were to change, he would be expected to make another application, surely ?

Oldernotwiser

birkee wrote: »

And for the smart as*es who made comments about morality.
I'm registered disabled, and have difficulty standing, and my Wife has had two heart bypasses, the second of which she barely survived, she also receives a small DLA, yet our morality is questioned about looking after a Grandson?
We are having trouble looking after ourselves, without the cooking, washing, and cleaning for a third person.

.

But why should you be doing all this for a young man who isn't even bringing any contribution into the household? After all you've done for him then he should be the one looking after you not the other way round.

Honestly, you're making a rod for your own back.

ETA.

Thinking about it, if he actually were caring for you as he should, he might be able to claim CA and IS, depending on his hours at college.

custardy

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

If you can't back up your opinion it might be best not to give it.

custardy wrote: »

its not an opinion
its a fact based on experience
learn the difference

it bugged me so I did it for you

You are a self supporting learner if, by the first day of your course, you:
• are at least 25 years old or
• are married or in an established relationship.
• have supported yourself from earnings or benefits for any 3 years

its on page 4

http://www.ed-coll.ac.uk/uploaded/Finance%202011.pdf

Oldernotwiser

custardy wrote: »

it bugged me so I did it for you



its on page 4

http://www.ed-coll.ac.uk/uploaded/Finance%202011.pdf

Thanks very much for that.

I really like to learn and the Scottish system's so different from the English one but I am keen on facts.

Sorry for being a bit iffy about it but I am genuinely grateful.