Appealing for income support?

Coz

Are there any single mums of a child over 5 who are also in full time education so are unable to claim job seekers who have appealed for income support to carry on until their course has finished? If so, did you win the appeal?

von

On what date did you start your full time course and on what date was your youngest child 5?

The rules regarding Lone Parents being able to claim IS whilst in full time education changed about 3 years ago. If you let me know the above info I can let you know whether you are entitled to IS after your child reaches 5.

Coz

I was a mature full time student last year, but was still on Income Support then. My child turned 5 in June this year, so my Income Support stopped and I will be going back to college full time in September, so I can't claim job seeker's allowance. So all I get is child tax credit and child benefit (about £80 altogether) until my course finishes next July. I would find it extremely difficult to do a part time job with homework from college plus looking after my child. My lone parent advisor told me I had to come off income support when my child reached 5, but just wondered if I could appeal or if there was anything else I could get instead?

NYM

Are you not entitled to student loans, grants, burseries... ?

giddypenguin

Could try looking here for more advice?
http://gingerbread.org.uk/content/425/Helpline
http://www.studentparents.org/

Sian19

I don't think you can get it if you're a college student, if you're a uni student, student finance will fund you. But if its an under degree/foundation course then I doubt it.

tomtontom

You started the course after the changes so will not qualify for transitional protection.

Many single parents work and study at the same time. You can claim for help with childcare costs if you work more than 16 hours.

Coz

Thanks everyone. Most full time students only attend college 3 days a week. So will I, but I will be doing a placement again for 4 days out of every fortnight, which I don't get paid for, otherwise I could have used those days to get a job.
I think I can only get a bursary for lunches and bus fares. But I drive to work. I've had a car for 20 years so I'm not about to give it up when I need it the most (for my child and for college). I don't want to get into debt with a student loan.
I will have to manage I guess. Thanks everyone.

tomtontom

You don't want to get into debt with a student loan? What do you think other students do - they work, they take out loans and they manage with public transport. I'm not sure why you think you should be an exception.

somethingcorporate

Most full time students are only in 3 days a week?

Not really full time then....

TELLIT01

somethingcorporate wrote: »

Most full time students are only in 3 days a week?

Not really full time then....

To be classed as 'full time' they only have to be in supported study (I can't remember the proper term) for over 12 hours per week.