No money and Struggling

faerie_girl

Not sure if this is the right place but i'll fill you in on my situation.

I am 19 and I was living with my boyfriend and his farther. We are both full time students at a local further education college.
They had a big falling out and we were forced to move into our own flat.
We've been living in the flat for a couple of months (it is privately rented) We both work part-time and earn £350 each a month. We are barely managing to survive.
I've been to the council to see if we are entitled to anything but because we are full time students other than we dont have to pay council tax.
We seriously run out of money about a week after getting paid.
The situation is seriously stressing me out. I am going to have to quit my course and start again doing part-time in september so I can work more.

I feel betrayed by the local govenment in a way because i have been paying my taxes and national insurance for the last few years. I feel like im in an imposible situation. I just need some help to servive.

As I have had to quit college should I try to see If i am entitled to any benefits now? Will I have to work full-time before I go back to college? Or should i carry on working part-time and do some over time when there is some available.

Sorry If this is long winded I am just feeling so desperate.

Scarlett1

if you are working part time you might not get any benefits at all as your boyfriends income will be calculated with your own, the only thing to do is find a full time job, or move into a bedsit or cheaper accommodation and carry on as you are at college

Gemmzie

There is help available. If you could post (or PM me if you prefer) yours and your boyfriends date of births then I can see what help you'd be entitled to.

You should also be able to get Housing Benefit, especially if you have to drop your working hours to ensure you get through your course.

You are better off as a student than working, to be perfectly honest, otherwise it's JSA until you find a job.

Morglin

Try these links:


http://www.entitledto.co.uk/

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/StudentFinanceFactsheets/DG_10034876

Lin

momisa

Also check with your college to see if you are both entitled to any bursaries. They should be able to offer accomodation advice too.

You may get better offerings if you decide to live separately for a while i.e if you each rent a room with other students/family taking in lodgers etc.

All the best

Oldernotwiser

I would be very careful about leaving college and starting again. As you are 19 you no longer have a right to free education and will have to pay course fees if you start another course. I imagine that your fees are still paid as you started the course when you were still eligible for free education. THERE IS NO WAY ROUND THIS! Can't you do a few more hours each of part time work (in another job if you have to) just to keep you afloat while you finish studying. Do you get your £30 Adult Learners Grant? From what you have said you should be eligible. What are you both studying and what stage are you at in your courses? It's really worth your while to hang on in there if you possibly can.

Jeonat

The Adult Learning Grant is not a nationwide programme at the moment and is only being piloted in certain areas (although it will become national in September), you can find out if your area is part of the pilot at: http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/featured/alg/

christabell

I am sorry to read about your situation. Although I can offer no information regarding your money/rent situation, I do however believe in letting my MP (especially if he/she is in opposition) know the circumstances. You stated that you blame the government, well going to your MP is the route to complain.
Good Luck.