Claiming Benefit while at university

eggyf7

Hi

Currently i receive DLA lower rate mobility/Middle care, ESA in the support group and Housing benefit due to being diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia.

Before being diagnosed i was working as a fully qualified Electrician, I would like to further my training by going to university and studying Electrical Engineering but my question is would i be able to keep my benefits? I wouldnt claim a student loan or grant.

Thanks

jacques_chirac

You can study and claim ESA as long as you are in receipt of DLA. Your (means tested) benefit entitlement would be affected by any student finance you are eligible for - you will be treated as if you have taken the funding, whether you choose to or not.

Be aware that your benefits may be reassessed if attending university contradicts any of your reasons for claiming.

eggyf7

Thanks Jaques.

When you say means tested that would be the ESA right? DLA wouldnt be affected?

In that case i would probably be better accepting the student finance.

Interesting point you make about whether it would contradict the reason im on benefit or not, thanks i will bear this in mind.

pmlindyloo

eggyf7 wrote: »

Thanks Jaques.

When you say means tested that would be the ESA right? DLA wouldnt be affected?

In that case i would probably be better accepting the student finance.

Interesting point you make about whether it would contradict the reason im on benefit or not, thanks i will bear this in mind.

This might be useful if they challenge your entitlement to income based ESA whilst at university.

Taken from Liverpool Hope University website.

QUOTE

Sometimes the D.W.P. review your disability benefit entitlement when you become a full-time student and treat you as capable of full-time work because you are attending a full-time course and use this reason to stop paying Incapacity Benefit/Income Support/Employment and Support Allowance. If your medical condition remains the same regardless of the fact that you are a student or you are trying to do the course for therapeutic reasons you should challenge the decision and put in an appeal. A full-time course does not necessarily have the workload or the responsibilities of a full time job and if your benefit stops whilst you are studying a full-time course but your medical condition has not changed and you do not feel capable of full-time work you should seek advice about appealing. It would help if your doctor can confirm that your illness has not changed and/or that you are taking up the course for therapeutic reasons.

Dunroamin

It might also be worth looking to see whether your local university offers this as a part time course. If it did, you would only need to take out the fee loan and you could carry on living on benefits (with the earlier provisos) and might find it an easier and less stressful way to return to education.

oliviawedy

Help please!!
My husband is on cont ESA & now studying access to HE can he still do permitted work under 16hrs & claim? Thanks