Benefits and full time study worries - help please

Mrs_Soup

With teaching there will be compulsory placements in schools so a car may be essential or she won't be able to get there necessarily. It can be difficult to get suitable placements in some areas if you have to rely on public transport.

missbiggles1

You'll lose the CA when you become a full time student but it sounds as if you are no longer eligible any way.

http://www.nus.org.uk/en/advice/money-and-funding/can-i-claim-government-benefits-as-a-student/

FBaby

But she's not at this stage yet, and it might be that she can use a bike of scooter. With cost of a car comes car insurance and maintenance. It tends to be the biggest expense after rent and food, so surely, the first step would be to consider whether buying a car can be avoided.

fishybusiness

I am worried because I read a thread where a student was told, by the JobCentre, to give up her course because she couldn't get any help

This seems to be your main worry. If you are a full time student you do lose some benefits, I would expect Income Support to be one of those. It is offset by your loan and grants, it would useful to know which SF income you have applied for.

Do you claim Housing Benefit? If you still have a minor living with you, and your course is HE full time, you are still entitled to HB.

Do you really think that buying a car is the best use of a grant that is approved on the basis that it should be used towards your studies?

The money is awarded to support 'living', and that means funding transport too, as well as such things as food, heat, oh and those pesky little things we buy our children at Christmas......presents!

Everyone has their own living priorities, and as long as they get through their study and pay their bills, all is good.

ViolaLass

FBaby wrote: »

Do you really think that buying a car is the best use of a grant that is approved on the basis that it should be used towards your studies? You are about to change your life around so that hopefully you can start supporting your family yet your first thought is about buying a car!

To get to placements! Not for going on jollies.

FBaby wrote: »

Yes, the grant will affect how much benefit you get, but surely if you are so grateful for all you've received so far, you won't mind getting a bit less if it means that you can get a qualification and finally go back to work? And if your husband is getting better, maybe he could consider taking a part time job to help make up the difference?

What kind of idiot wouldn't investigate how much money they would have for the year before embarking on a course? It's not about gratitude, it's about being able to plan, about being MSE!

pmlindyloo

If your OH is on contribution based ESA and in the support group then this will continue.

His DLA will not be affected.

You will lose the CA and Income support.

Child Benefit will remain the same.

If you receive the Student Dependant adult's grant then this will be counted as income for child tax credits.

You need to speak to the welfare department at your place of learning and they will make sure that you can access all the financial help that you are entitled to.

Parts of your loans etc will be counted as income if you need to apply for housing benefit and council tax reduction.

Once you know what you are entitled to you need to notify any benefit departments where you have a claim.

I think you are very brave and wish you all the very best.

Indie_Kid

As a full time student, you're also entitled to a 25% council tax discount.

missbiggles1

Indie_Kid wrote: »

As a full time student, you're also entitled to a 25% council tax discount.

Not if any of her children are 18 and working.

pmlindyloo

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Not if any of her children are 18 and working.

The OP's children are non dependants.

They are not liable for the council tax.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/tax_e/tax_council_tax_ew/council_tax.htm

However, if the OP applies for council tax reduction of housing benefits then, if they are over 18, a non dependant deduction is made according to how much they earn.

missbiggles1

pmlindyloo wrote: »

The OP's children are non dependants.

They are not liable for the council tax.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/tax_e/tax_council_tax_ew/council_tax.htm

However, if the OP applies for council tax reduction of housing benefits then, if they are over 18, a non dependant deduction is made according to how much they earn.

Surely a household with 2 over 18 non students isn't eligible for the 25% single person discount?