Desperate advice needed

JimmySavile

Hi,

Sorry for the drastic title but I'm running out of ideas. My brother underwent major surgery last year and only recovered early this year. He's still unable to do most manual sorts of work which is what he used to do.

He decided to try and become a physiotherapist to help other people in similar situations and ended up starting a 1 year college course in Plymouth, which would give him the qualifications to start uni next year.

On top of all this he was told he had to move out of home by mum/partner and so I've ended up helping him quite a lot with money.

He's 35, currently on benefits and living on his own. The benefit money he's receiving is still leaving him short every month which is causing a lot of problems. He's been unable to find any work to help so far, obviously he'd need to be working pretty much full time hours to get more than the benefit money which means he couldn't study and I'm quickly running out of money to help.

Just wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction as to what he may be eligible to student loan/grant wise? Student loans are just for university students I assume?

Thanks for your time

MrsManda

He's not likely to be eligible for any loans but he could apply to his college's Discretionary Learning Support Fund to see if they can give him something.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/FinancialHelpForAdultLearners/DG_10033131

How many hours is his course?
Is it counted as a full-time course by the college?

If he puts his details into one of the benefits calculators below he'll be able to find out if he's receiving all the benefits he's entitled to.
http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/ba/lp?_piref278_36249_278_36248_36248.__ora_navig=

If he cannot afford to continue the course then he's going to have to take a break from his course and save up the money.
If he's unable to undertake physical work is he going to meet the fitness requirements to become a physiotherapist? Has he applied for a course already?

Get him to speak to his college's student support service as they'll help him with the Discretionary Support Fund and may be able to provide guidance to other funding sources.

It may be worth sitting down with him and running through all of his income and outgoings to see if he can cut down on his outgoings.

MetalMand

If he is planning on starting Uni next year then my advice would be to apply via UCAS for a place and when accepted register for student finance asap as it can take a while to sort out. Student fiance (which is for higher education such as foundation degrees, degrees etc) can be means tested and as an adult he will qualify for the adult learners portion. He won't actually have any money released to him until he enrolls on his 1st day's attendance at his uni. more info here http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/Gettingstarted/DG_171572
Student finance will rule out him getting job seekers allowance ( as he is not available for work or his hours are limited) however if he is a full time student he shouldn't have to pay council tax and he can claim housing benefit.


Has been assessed by a doctor to see if he is able to work or if he is limited to what work he can do? if not maybe he is able to claim DLA you can still claim DLA and student finance I think).

I'm a single parent of 2 kids a degree student and I work, it can be done it just needs good planning and time management.

Good Luck to him, hope this helps.:o

JimmySavile

Thanks a lot for the detailed responses guys, definitely given me some avenues to check out, looks like he's gonna have to find up to 16 hours work and will also look into those available loans.

There seems to be an interest free loan which might be available also just in case anyone has similar issues, called a Social Fund Budgeting Loan, up to £1500 (won't let me post a link)

Taiko

I'd approach the college/uni directly to be honest. They may have their own schemes, which people here may not know of, and therefore we won't be able to fix it for you.