ESA work related whilst at college?

Viberduo

Hi there, I applied for a college course as I manged to move out of a area of high unemployment to somewhere which has low employment but as its close to a city many little towns about so good chance of working.

My ESA runs out in October I think and I was told at the time I was lucky to get it then due to clampdowns, I know I may be "lucky" and wait ages for a new assessment but to save the stress wanted to go to college and whilst at college look at a few hours a week job so I am not straight into the deep end.

I applied for a bursary and got my award letter at weekend which showed a award of like £55 a month travel expenses and about £50 paid to college course costs but no maintenance, I contacted them to be told as I on ESA I am entitled to study and still claim benefits.

Is this true? I told them my award was about to run out and they told me if that happens I could then apply for help(despite needing to apply for maintenance no later than October as funding allocation will run out) and I worry that I will go weeks without money and still have to go to college.

This all sounds totally wrong so wondered if people can give some advice as I told them I would rather not claim ESA and just get a bursary and they said I cannot do that.

missbiggles1

You only get maintenace funding for courses at degree level.

Indie_Kid

Are you full time or part time and do you receive DLA / PIP?

Viberduo

Full time, I chose it as I wanted to get a full time grant and benefits of being a student such as a grant, if I knew I was not getting a bursary I would of gone part time.

And I do not get DLA

rogerblack

Viberduo wrote: »

Full time, I chose it as I wanted to get a full time grant and benefits of being a student such as a grant, if I knew I was not getting a bursary I would of gone part time.

And I do not get DLA

My understanding is that even if you are not in receipt of DLA/PIP - you cannot do a fulltime course, and retain entitled to ESA - even if you are not getting maintenance funding.
You need to contact the DWP and check.

tomtontom

Do you still meet the ESA descriptors? Your posts indicate that you are seeking work?

rogerblack

tomtontom wrote: »

Do you still meet the ESA descriptors? Your posts indicate that you are seeking work?

Meeting the ESA descriptors is not the same as being unable to work.
You can seek, and even do permitted work while still being entitled to ESA.

For example, I can imagine in principle in some workplaces, an employee who loses bladder or bowel control once a week not being a problem.
Or one that can't raise either arm as if to put something in the top pocket of a jacket or coat.
Or even someone that can't swallow food or drink.

And yet any of these would entitle someone to the support group.

Indie_Kid

rogerblack wrote: »

My understanding is that even if you are not in receipt of DLA/PIP - you cannot do a fulltime course, and retain entitled to ESA - even if you are not getting maintenance funding.
You need to contact the DWP and check.

This is my understanding too.

missbiggles1

Viberduo wrote: »

Full time, I chose it as I wanted to get a full time grant and benefits of being a student such as a grant, if I knew I was not getting a bursary I would of gone part time.

And I do not get DLA

So is it degree level study or not?

Viberduo

Not higher education further which is why I said bursary and grant

missbiggles1

Viberduo wrote: »

Not higher education further which is why I said bursary and grant

You get both bursaries and grants for HE, you don't get them for FE courses.