Changing From Disabled Benefits to JSA

Snapelover

I am in receipt of DLA and SDA but because him indoors earns a good wage it means we have to pay for everything, I.e. evening classes etc.

I would love to do some courses at a local college or even uni but it would cost a fortune, yes, him indoors may be on a wage which means I don't qualify for anything free but we are not well off.

I was wondering what the pros and cons of me going down to the job centre and say that I am looking for work would be. I doubt I would ever get a job as of my sight and hearing loss but it would mean I am on a qualifying benefit.

Any advice welcome.

merlin68

You wouldn't get jsa as your husband works. There are two types of jsa one where you have to have worked for last two tax years and the other is dependant on household income.
You still have to pay for courses if on jsa at our local college they just knock a little of the price.

DomRavioli

Hi OP,

merlin68 is correct - you would need to be on income based benefits (ESA or JSA, doesn't usually matter which one as long as it is income based) to qualify for a reduction in fees at college because it is a means tested benefit.

Why not try a free course on somewhere like OpenLearn from the OU, or Coursera?

seven-day-weekend

The Benefit is called JobSEEKERS' allowance. Would you actually be seeking work or just trying to get some money off college courses?

You do have to fulfill criteria about seeking work, otherwise your JSA will be sanctioned.

Snapelover

Thanks all.

Yes, I would actually be seeking work.

McKneff

If you are capable of working as you say above, why not just jobseek anyway and your wages will pay for your courses.

xylophone

SDA

https://www.gov.uk/severe-disablement-allowance

Will you be reassessed as indicated in the above?

kittykat17

OP do you receive WTC? I don't know if it's changed at all but my sis-in-law took a couple of different courses at our local college approx 4 years ago which she didn't have to pay for as she was on WTC (as well as a small amount of HB).

rogerblack

kittykat17 wrote: »

OP do you receive WTC? I don't know if it's changed at all but my sis-in-law took a couple of different courses at our local college approx 4 years ago which she didn't have to pay for as she was on WTC (as well as a small amount of HB).

They can't be on SDA and work.

missbiggles1

If you're at the right educational level for university study, this would be funded from student loans, regardless of household income. You could have a look at studying with the Open University, who have excellent facilities for students with disabilities if attending a brick and mortar university would be difficult for you.

http://www2.open.ac.uk/study/support/disability/orientation

allen35

rogerblack wrote: »

They can't be on SDA and work.

The partner works.

If on low income (less than £17,000 pa) and working 30 hours you may be entitled to Working Tax Credits OP, your DLA and SDA aren't classed as income for tax credit purposes.

Contact 0345 300 3900 for a claim pack if not already in receipt of tax credits.