College and benefits.

mmjj

My local authority offer flexible courses to gain level 2 equivalent qualifications in english and maths, perhaps yours do too? They are great preparation to get you back into learning mode.

How many days/hours are required in college?

Some courses are listed as full time but are less than 16 guided learning hours and may only require you to be on campus for 2 days .

If you could be available to work for 16 hours outside studying time eg weekends if your ex sees the children then, it should be possible to study a 'full time' course whilst maintaining eligibility for JSA or better still actually working and getting some recent experience and potential referees to add to your CV.

Check out part time work and pay rates in your area and play around with the numbers on the Turn2us website.

I was in a similar position a few years ago. it isn't easy to juggle it all but so rewarding when you succeed and what better example can you set for your children.

debrag

I thought anyone with no level 2/3 qualifications got courses free?

Dunroamin

debrag wrote: »

I thought anyone with no level 2/3 qualifications got courses free?

There always was an age limit for the level 3, this year there's one for the level 2 as well.

flexrider

Sorry to ask but have you tried student finance alg (adult learning grants) I know from a disabled friend who was on income support the college they went to gave them a form which he took into the jobcentre and booom! got his course and fees sorted out.....worth asking about at the college

*gem*

A little update - I'm still waiting for a call back from an advisor who is currently on holiday and the only person who can answer my query.

It's a really small college in a small town. I have told them all the benefits I am currently getting. I was wondering if I would be doing part of the access course lesson because they did mention an access course but I have no plans of going to uni so maybe this is why i've been put on the lessons I have. I also failed the test they gave me to complete for an access course. I'm not sure how it all works so i've greatfully applied for the course they have offered.

mmjj, there used to be courses like that available through the surestart centres apparently but they are no longer available and have been cut because of funding.

It is listed as 20 hrs per week on my learner agreement but I guess you are right it may be only be 16. I will not know until I go for my induction day as the timetable for the courses haven't been arranged yet. The job centre said that the course can only be for 16 hrs per week for my to qualify for JSA.

flexrider, i've not heard of alg so I will look into that too.

Thank you more useful advice everyone. I really apreciate it.

Dunroamin

I'm afraid ALG finished last year.

mikey_bach

I dont think OP you will have transitional protection, you say your course should have started on the first day of your new JSA claim but has been delayed to the end of September
To get the TP, you would need to have started, or be due to start your course, before the date your claim to I.S is closed or is due to close..

eg I.S ends 4 September, course to start 3rd, would be ok, the 5th Sept not as the new JSA claim would be starting up

But it is up to your advisor and I hope you get it.

Good luck on your course anyway

alieshia

you can still get benefits whilst doing full time education, you just have to ask for permission. Whether you get permission depends on your reasons for being on the benefits and what you'd get out of the course.

Dunroamin

alieshia wrote: »

you can still get benefits whilst doing full time education, you just have to ask for permission. Whether you get permission depends on your reasons for being on the benefits and what you'd get out of the course.

The only reason for being on JSA is that you're looking for and are available for work, which you aren't if you're doing a full time course. You might get permission to finish a course that's near the end when you sign on, but not to start a full time course when you're already claiming.

There are normally part time courses that are more suitable for adults which would allow them to carry on making a claim.

*gem*

Nobody seems to know whether I can or can't continue to claim IS. All the lone parent advisors are on leave or off sick until the end of next week. One person will tell me I need to speak to them for a decision and another will tell me to contact IS and send all my paper work to them for a decision. I don't know whether i'm coming or going so i give up. I will be doing the college course anyway. It's not worth the stress and upset of fighting for IS.

Mikey, the course originally due to start on the same day I sign over to JSA but due to the building not being finished the date changed. Sorry I edited the dates from my posts.

Dunroamin, there aren't any single part time courses available for the subjects i'm studying and even if there was and evening course, I can't do it as my childrens father is 70 miles away working and caring his ill mother and I have no family in the UK.

Totally off the subject but does anybody know if I can still claim free dental treatment or prescriptions for long term medication without claiming IS or JSA? I will be getting HB, CTC, CTB and CB.

Thanks!