Education while on ESA (MH)

littlerat

I'm on ESA for mental health problems (depression, very severe anxiety). So I was wondering if anyone had gone back to college/done a course (not long distance) while on ESA? The course I'm looking at is 13 hours a week so under the 16 "limit".

I gather it's theoretically allowed if it doesn't contradict the health problems (mine would *slightly* to be honest but I'm trying to get better and as I struggle majorly with any social situation almost anything I do to get better will).

But I'm wondering if anyone else has done it, did the DWP complain? I know it may trigger a reassessment, possibly putting me in work group would be fair, currently am in support group. I want to go back to college and try and get qualifications so I can eventually get a career - I don't want to be stuck on benefits my whole life!

Just any advice/thoughts wanted really. Would be next september so a fair few months away.

Thanks guys!

GlasweJen

Why don't you ask the job centre? If you feel you should now be in the work related group you should be reporting this change anyway?

johnkat

As far as I'm aware, when in the 'support group' you can volunteer to take part in the Work programme..So i'd imagine it would be OK to do a P/T college course without it affecting your current Benefit. Not a 100% sure though. Good luck with it anyway.:beer:

~Chameleon~

Technically it's possible as I know of a woman currently studying at university whilst in the support group of ESA. How it impacts on you financially would depend whether you're entering FE or HE I guess, as any income from student loans/grants would affect your beneifts.

littlerat

Thanks all, it'd be an FE course not university. I do hope to progress to uni but by then I'll hope to be off benefits and be a normal student - basically I'm pushing myself as I've realised this isn't going to magically go away, I'm getting more support and I'm not willing to be stuck on benefits indefinitely. It can't be good for my brain anyway! I used to be an exceptional student with the potential to do whatever I wanted, I want to get back at least near there.

Glaswegen, for now at any rate I think I'm in the right group, I'm hoping to build up to this for next september, but it was also more if they'd only allow it in the work group/if they felt my ability to do college meant I was no longer eligible for the support group next year. Plus by then it may be fairer anyway.


Just have to work at it now!

littlerat

Just to add to this - I've been reading I can possibly do full time and keep ESA if I'm on DLA. So I may be looking into this route now, unsure what the considerations are though.

http://www.thesite.org/homelawandmoney/benefits/employmentandsupportallowance

Is one of the sites that says it - it's definitely an option but I'm not sure how often they'll allow it. This would still be for FE not HE.

Cranny44

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Technically it's possible as I know of a woman currently studying at university whilst in the support group of ESA. How it impacts on you financially would depend whether you're entering FE or HE I guess, as any income from student loans/grants would affect your beneifts.

My DD has gone to Uni this time and is in the ESA support group (MH problems sound similar to yours) and has DLA High although this is being reduced to Low this month.

She has extra funding due to problems (recently given an extra £1000 and an ipad and this is in addition to the disabled students grant she is being assessed for)) and there is a ruling about deductions from grants and loans but no-one seems to give a straight answer as they dont seem to know, so she has informed everyone of her money and situation and left it with them

But prior to this she did an access course for 2 years at college whilst on incapacity benefit no problem and no benefit reductions.

She has missed many lessons but is a bright student and still managed to pass with 32 distinctions so if she can do it i am sure you can too.

At her ATOS medical the assessor was supportive of her going to uni and put her in the support group.


Good luck

littlerat

Thanks - sounds about right with no straight answers!

I'm seriously considering my once-long-for career of being a doctor which is an extra incentive to getting well.

It is interesting they've actually allowed people to study on it, I was wondering if it was theoretical and nobody ever allowed it!

princessdon

FE courses have different funding. *Some* colleges have chosen not to fund for ESA Support as they can't claim the "route to employment" funding, eg ESA Wrag is free ESA Support you pay. That said low income and HB can get round this.

I have many FE students on ESA and we have excellent support systems in place to assist them.

The only time it becomes an issue is when your reasons are contradticted. Eg if you said "I can't leave the house" and then go to college.

Best advice is to wait until August - then let ESA know you are going to try college. Sometimes they will re-assess and others they let go.

If there are no contradictions then it is easier - but it may be a case of they look at your claim if your reasons contradict.

GlasweJen

Surely though severe mental health issues and studying medicine IS a contradiction? Political correctness is going out the window here but when I see a doctor I don't want someone with mental problems treating me, I want the person who is sane and doesn't get confused/anxious/aggressive/homicidal. I don't want to be one of these people whose mentally ill doctor/nurse decides to bump off with insulin or whatever else is sitting around the ward.

System

GlasweJen wrote: »

Surely though severe mental health issues and studying medicine IS a contradiction? Political correctness is going out the window here but when I see a doctor I don't want someone with mental problems treating me, I want the person who is sane and doesn't get confused/anxious/aggressive/homicidal. I don't want to be one of these people whose mentally ill doctor/nurse decides to bump off with insulin or whatever else is sitting around the ward.

Wow, stereotyping and stigma much?