Education and Income Support

BigAunty

ever wrote: »

You've touched on another question I'd not gotten around to asking-- are older lone parent IS claims not grandfathered to the rules that applied when they were granted? For example, I began claiming IS before the rule change of age 5 comes into effect, so despite that, my claim will end when she turns 5? I'm thankful that it exists either way, but if it stayed until she was 7 I'd be able to finish off my degree completely and be able to hopefully start a career!

Changes to benefits often impact all claimants, not just new claims.

For example, in April all couples who receive working tax credits will have to work at least 24 hours, rather than 16 now. From this month onwards, all recipients of Local Housing Allowance who are single, without dependents or severe disability, will only get the shared property rate if they are under 35 whereas it used to be 25 - those in self-contained properties must move to a shared one if they can't afford it (albeit timed with the anniversary of their claim rather than at once).

You'd be able to work while she's at school and do your OU studies when she's gone to bed.

ever

My first course starting next month is 60 credits, but I was thinking of doing 2 at a time after it ends (so 120 credits per year total) so I could finish my degree more quickly and hopefully have it done before the switch to JSA, although I don't think that's likely since that will end in a couple years when my daughter turns 5.

Will I still be able to continue with OU courses on JSA once the switchover happens? (I think that's what was meant by the IS-JSA transition, but just want to make sure!)

Thanks everyone for all the detailed information, by the way!

ever

BigAunty wrote: »

You'd be able to work while she's at school and do your OU studies when she's gone to bed.

I've got my fingers crossed that I'll be able to find a job during school hours and use the childcare part of tax credits to cover before/after school so I'd hopefully be able to have a normal, full-time job and definitely continue with school in the evenings after bedtime.

drwho2011

ever wrote: »

Will I still be able to continue with OU courses on JSA once the switchover happens?

Yes you will.

Even if you had to participate in residential school (as you can be treated as available and actively seeking as long as you notify in advance and submit proof).

BigAunty

ever wrote: »

My first course starting next month is 60 credits, but I was thinking of doing 2 at a time after it ends (so 120 credits per year total) so I could finish my degree more quickly...

"a 60-credit course ...usually represents 600 hours of study over 9 months, which is equivalent to about 16 hours per week"

http://www8.open.ac.uk/study/explained/study-explained/building-your-qualification/what-are-credits

16 hours per week study lends itself easily to full time and part time employment as it's just a couple of hours a night when the littlun' has gone to bed.

That works out at 624 hours per year for a 60 credit course so is an average of 24 hours per week for two (though it might involve peaks and troughs depending on the timing of them across the year), assuming you are an average student.

Otherwise, if you can't stagger the two 60 credit units and have to study them concurrently, you'd be studying around 32 hours per week which won't leave you much time to hold down a job.

Might be manageable with a part time job and if you are a good student who can work through the material more quickly than average.