Benefits Confusion

Terrysdelight

Hello

I wonder if there is anyone who can untangle my niece's situation regarding her benefits.

At the moment she is on income support, receives housing benefit and has two children. She has recently secured a college place for a full year's course as a legal secretary (starting September). She is aiming to get her qualification so she can get back to work in a decent job and provide fully for her children without any benefit top ups.

She has been called to the job centre, told everything is changing and that she has to sign on every week and that her housing benefit and income support will be stopping. I'm sure this will be replaced by something else (but I think she went into panic mode and stopped listening to what was being said).

She told them about the college course and they said she couldn't do it unless it was for less than 16 hours (unfortunately the course is 21 hours - over a straight 2 and a half days). They told her they would need a letter from the college confirming the hours. She is desparate for this course as wants to avoid working in a low paid job meaning she would still need benefits.

Can anyone tell me - what the change is in relation to 'everything stopping' HB etc? Is it being replaced by something else? Will she have enough to pay her rent? It is a Housing Association property.

Does anyone have any knowledge of how she can still do this course and it not affecting benefits?

Many thanks for advice.

midnight_express

It sounds as if her youngest child is now 5. Is this the case ?

mikey_bach

How old is the youngest child?
if the child is nearing five then her LPA has called her in the the Jobcentre, this is standard she now would have to go onto JSA if fit, for work or ESA if not.

Has she been given an end date for her I.S, yet crucial.

If she has and is starting her studies before that end date then she is ok.
She will have transitional protection, this means she will be allowed to stay on I.S untill the court end date.

She will have to go to the interview, but if she takes proof of her course the LPA will note the system and inform I.S...

If she hasnt had her end date yet then she will be fine.
But she must attend the interview and tell them

Terrysdelight

Yes, the youngest is 5 now.

Her date of IS end and starting on JSA is 4 September. College doesn't officially start until 11 September.

mikey_bach

when did she get accepted on to the course.
may be a long shot

Terrysdelight

My niece - actually has her offer of place - dated back in June. Would she be able to have 'transitional protection' as she secured her place then? Seem's such a shame for the sake of one week if she can't have the protection.

mikey_bach

it would be up to her advisor at the Jobcentre
she needs to contact them straight away, it may be allowed
there is a chance,
Did she not mention the course to them
If it is allowed she would stay on I.S untill the end of the course, even if it takes three years.
But she would have to stay on the same course and if she finished it early for any reason then the protection would end

Terrysdelight

mikey_bach wrote: »

it would be up to her advisor at the Jobcentre
she needs to contact them straight away, it may be allowed
there is a chance,
Did she not mention the course to them
If it is allowed she would stay on I.S untill the end of the course, even if it takes three years.
But she would have to stay on the same course and if she finished it early for any reason then the protection would end

Yes, she did mention it to them - as per my first post. They told her no 'unless' it was for less than 16 hours.

Perhaps she should request a further appointment and take the offer letter and mention the transitional protection.

mikey_bach

think she has nothing to lose,
I know a lot of LP are protected by the TP rules
Think she has a case, good luck

Terrysdelight

Thanks MB. Have just googled the legislation so she can take it with her, along with her confirmed college place letter, to her next meeting.