ESA and studying full-time

Zekkia

Hi guys, I hope someone can help me.
I'm looking into starting a college course in September but I can't afford to do so If i'm going to lose my ESA.
A bit of background: I dropped out of University in October because I couldn't cope with being away from home, since then I've been in the assessment period for ESA (I haven't been invited for a medical yet).
Im claiming because I can't work due to mental health issues, but I want to try and get back into education because I've been doing nothing since uni and I want to build my confidence up again and try and get out and do something.
This is as much as I've gathered about ESA and studying: I can still claim ESA as long as I'm doing a part time course (under 16 hours). The problem is that the courses I want to do are classed as full time.
I can stay on ESA and do a full-time course as long as I'm also claiming PIP and/or DLA.
I don't know anything about PIP or DLA, am I even able to claim them? I'd go for it if it meant i could do a full time course. Also, how much do they give to you?
I really want to study but the subject area I want to do is rare and only 2 courses in my area are available but both full time. How can I afford to live while studying full time? As I can't work.
Anyone who could answer some of my questions or provide any suggestions would be a great help. Thanks! Hope its possible for me to do this.

epitome

You can do a fulltime course on ESA without DLA or PIP as long as you have ESA Conts entitlement.

Ask DWP if you have an ESA Conts entitlement...

When you phone don't expect them to be able to confirm what I just said, Benefits are very complex and the people on the phones don't know everything. Just trust, that I know what I am talking about.

If you have an ESA IR entitlement AND an ESA Conts entitlement then doing a full time course [strike]could[/strike] will see your ESA award rate drop to the ESA Conts rate. i.e. if you get £123.70 a week it will drop to a £108.15
Or if you get £164 a week it will drop to a £101.15

If you don't have ESA Conts then you your ESA IR will stop unless you have DLA or PIP.

Applyig for PIP is currently taking about 6 months to a year to be processed.

Zekkia

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I don't think I'm entitled to contribution based because I've never worked, therefore never paid national insurance

pmlindyloo

Since you will not be eligible for benefits in your circumstances - your best option is to investigate whether there are any grants/loans available for you.

Your place of education - the welfare department - is the best place to give you help/support but you might like to read this:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/grants-education

TELLIT01

You have to be in receipt of DLA or PIP in order to be able to undertake full time education AND claim ESA (IR). Your only route would seem to be that suggested by pmlindyloo above.

Zekkia

Thanks guys, the link helped. I'll have to do what pmlindyloo said and contact some places and see what they can offer in terms of grants.
Thanks!