Lone Parent, Full Time Student JSA/IS claim

muriel_bagge

I am a lone parent with two kids age 10 and 8. I started studying full time in 2009. I applied for Income Support and got a letter from DWP that I am not entitled to IS from 22/06 (when holiday starts) and I should claim JSA instead.

But surely as a FT student, I am not available for work? Or is it only for the time of holidays that I should claim JSA and then start claiming IS?

I'm confused.:think:

Caz3121

IS is for lone parents with children under 5 now so to claim it would need to be JSA and you would be expected to sign on/look for work

pmlindyloo

muriel_bagge wrote: »

I am a lone parent with two kids age 10 and 8. I started studying full time in 2009. I applied for Income Support and got a letter from DWP that I am not entitled to IS from 22/06 (when holiday starts) and I should claim JSA instead.

But surely as a FT student, I am not available for work? Or is it only for the time of holidays that I should claim JSA and then start claiming IS?

I'm confused.:think:

So, acouple of questions - sorry.

Have you been claiming IS since 2009 and now it's going to stop or have you only recently applied for IS?

Are you returning to full time education in September?

Lone parents can claim IS when they are full time students but certain loans and grants are taken into consideration as IS is a means tested benefit.

JSA can be claimed during the holidays.

See here:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10034876

PippaGirl_2

Muriel, what level are you studying? A levels? NVQ? Degree?

muriel_bagge

I'm on my final year of an undergraduate course. I have not claimed anything before. I have been in education since 2009 and will graduate in 2013.

pmlindyloo

muriel_bagge wrote: »

I'm on my final year of an undergraduate course. I have not claimed anything before. I have been in education since 2009 and will graduate in 2013.

Are you getting any loans/grants for your course?

As I said these will be taken into account and therefore you will not be entitled to any IS.

Dunroamin

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Are you getting any loans/grants for your course?

As I said these will be taken into account and therefore you will not be entitled to any IS.

Loans are taken into account even if they're not taken out.

epitome

Did you ever get paid IS? i.e. up until 21/06/12 When did you put in your claim?

Your first post suggests that you are getting IS up until 21/06/12 and then it stops for the holidays.

Are you not claiming a student loan?

AFAIK your entilement is limited to JSA in the summer holidays, and student loans the rest of the year. You probably have no entitlement at all to IS.