Claiming Jobseekers allowance during summer holidays?

debbie22

Hi there
I'm a full time (mature) student and between next instalment of student loan money in April and the following payment comes at start of new term end of September, going to really struggle. I do have a part-time job but only for 9 hours per week.


Is it possible to claim jobseekers allowance between when Uni finishes for the long summer holiday period and new semester?


Thanks in advance for any replies.


Debbie

silvercar

Only if one course finishes and another starts, not if you are moving between one year and the next on an existing course. You are expected to budget for the Summer break. Could you work more hours or take a second job?

If you have dependents the situation may be different. You could ask on the benefits board?

Wantobeasaver

Nope, not if you're going back to uni again in Sept/Oct for the same course. If I remember rightly, you get a slightly larger amount for the last term to (help) see you through the summer.

Indie_Kid

Wantobeasaver wrote: »

Nope, not if you're going back to uni again in Sept/Oct for the same course. If I remember rightly, you get a slightly larger amount for the last term to (help) see you through the summer.

This is true and so is Silvercar's reply.

Maggie.Moo_2

A common predicament for first year students but your student loan/grant is supposed to last your entire academic year and you'll get substantially less in your final year as you will be 'available' to work over the summer period (although it is possible to get summer jobs in between academic years).

silvercar wrote: »

If you have dependents the situation may be different. You could ask on the benefits board?

I'm a studying parent (didn't qualify as a 'mature' student so may be slightly different) but you aren't allowed to claim any out-of-work benefits as a full time student. If you do have dependants you are entitled to Child Tax Credits, Child Benefit, Housing Benefit/Local Housing Allowance and any Council Tax Reduction schemes while studying (grants and loans will not be considered as income if you are single but your partner's income is taken into consideration if you are part of a couple). I assume you'd already be in receipt of these though.

I would advise going to your student information office and speaking to a financial adviser. They can help you with budgeting and there's an Access to Learning Fund (although this may not be available as it's on a 'first-come' basis) which could help you if you can prove you'll be facing financial difficulties. sometimes there's extra funding available for mature students too, so they can help you access that.

I would also recommend asking to increase your hours at your current job or seek another temporary summer job as that's what a lot of students end up doing once they realise their budgeting mistake (although some are lucky enough to live off parents during academic breaks).