Benefits while on access course

suffolkb

Hi, I`m after a bit of help before I go to the job centre. No offence to those who work there, but the info on here is usually better (creep).
I`m out of work here in the sticks and would like to train for a new career. I am very interested in the 3 yr degree course to become a radiographer. The college has suggested that I should do the access course in higher education health/social care first. This is 3 full days a week, mon,tue,thu. It seems that I cannot get any student loans for this course. As I am over 50 and not in the best of health (heart failure) I have to work 15 hours pw to get WTC. If I can find a job, great, but if not, then I am still available for work on 4 days a week. Would I still get my JSA while studying. The degree course would be covered by an NHS bursary and a repayable loan, but I`ve got to survive the next year.
Thanks for any replies.

EthelBloggs

Hiya

I did an access course a couple of years ago, I was on income support and that didn't change, all my course fees were paid and there was help available for travel expenses n stuff. The college I think also had its own hardship fund if you needed it.

Uni is a different kettle of fish altogether and I'm still trying to figure it all out, lol

Hope that helps

Hapless_2

When I was at college on IS I could study less than 20hrs p.w. before any impact on benefits. I don't know if that has changed though. One thing you MUST agree to is that if a job gets offered you will give up your course, otherwise they will leave you with nothing. I'm not sure if the rules are the same as for JSA. go to student Services at the college, they would know.
As for Uni, no benefits unless you have dependants or a disability.

Hapless_2

these are the rules from 1996

JSA Rules on Studying
You cannot normally receive benefit as an unemployed person if you are a full time student. But if you are unemployed and receiving benefit, you can study part time as long as you remain available for and actively seeking employment. If you are offered a job, your course must not prevent you from taking it.

If you are a jobseeker who has been unemployed for three months or more no aspect of your part-time study will be taken into account when deciding whether you are available for work, providing you are willing and able to rearrange your course to take a job in the hours that you have agreed you will be available for work in your Jobseeker's Agreement. If you want to know more about the Jobseeker's Agreement, contact the College or your Jobcentre Plus Adviser.

What Counts as Part-Time Study
Under JSA, courses which are funded or part funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) of 16 Guided Learning Hours or less a week (12 Guided Learning Hours or less for 18 year olds) will be regarded as part-time, for most benefit claimants.
I'll see if I can find any up to date ones

Hapless_2

Have you checked whether they can do it under New Deal?

suffolkb

Thanks for the replies. I`ve been to the uni and the CAB and just now `phoned the college where the access course is taught. Nobody can give me an answer. I suppose a lot depends on what `guided learning hours` means. The course is 3 days 9 - 5, but when you take off lunch, breaks and reading time the actual taught time is prob under 16 hours. I`ll keep looking. Daft to pay me to be out of work, but not to help me try and improve my chances of getting work.

Hapless_2

giuded learning is the time you spend in the classroom being "taught" i.e. the time you are physically in the room with a tutor. meal time, homework etc is not included in this time. It's a shame none of the hours are in the evenings as they do not count as a rule (well they never used to at least).

ukdickie31

Hi

You will probably find that your claim is referred to a decision maker if you are claiming JSA. Normally a full time course would exclude you from claiming JSA but there are exceptions.

It's all to do with availibility if you are on JSA.

A further thing to consider is that even a part time course could affect availibility and the course you are doing (or intending to do) will need to be declared to the Jobcentre, together with a Learning Agreement.

The Jobcentre will have to consider whether the coure affects your availibility for work.

For example, your Jobseekers Agreement (JSAg) may say you want 9.00 to 5.00 Office Admin work but the college course is Mon and Tue all day. This is an obvious overlap, so unless you were willing to start work immediately and give up the course, JSA would be suspended... even if the course is part time, regardless of the learning hours. A referral to the decision makers would have to be made to determine whether JSA can continue.

Evening courses don't normally affect work, but again, it depends on the type of work on the JSAg. People may want bar work. If for exapmle, the only local bar jobs are evenings, the evening course times would overlap with the available jobs in the local labour market, benefit would be suspended and a referral to decision makers made.

Sometimes there is not a yes or no answer !

Hapless_2

For example, your Jobseekers Agreement (JSAg) may say you want 9.00 to 5.00 Office Admin work but the college course is Mon and Tue all day. This is an obvious overlap, so unless you were willing to start work immediately and give up the course, JSA would be suspended... even if the course is part time, regardless of the learning hours

that is part of the course for part time students on benefits, you always have to say you wil drop the course should a suitable full time job become available.

ukdickie31

you always have to say you wil drop the course should a suitable full time job become available

Yes you do. And with new tighter conditionalitly checks, you will probably be submitted to jobs to see if this is the case.

JSA conditionality and Labour Market Activity are all key targets for JC+ this year !

Hapless_2

have you thought about a cashier job at a supermarket as a stop gap while at college? I know of several mature students who do this. Some of whom carry on while at Uni.