Open University and ESA

Nobody_knows

Hi,

I am currently on ESA because I have mental health issues and I am suicidal due to an abusive childhood and I have weekly therapy sessions but I want to do a degree course which is part-time with the open university and I did ring up the benefits office and they said you can't study and claim ESA benefits.

I can't support myself as of yet as I struggle to get out of the house due to anxiety and mental health issues but I was hoping to work on my mental health and due a degree so by the end of the course, I would hopefully be able to get a job and keep it.

What do I do ? Is there any other solution ?

_CC_

You have the answer in your post - you can't study and claim ESA.

Depending on your degree, wouldn't you have to leave the house to do the exams anyway?

I doubt there are many jobs where having an OU degree is critical, so why can't you just work on your mental health and then get a non graduate job (which many people with degrees end up in anyway)?

DomRavioli

Hi OP,

I've been at OU for four years now (just entering my fifth), and I have MH issues also.

I studied at OU when I was on ESA a couple of years ago; as you would need to get a student loan to cover fees, and this may be counted as income, this is where you may find you come unstuck (I'm a pre-2012 intake so my funding is completely different). See http://www.cpag.org.uk/sites/default/files/cpag-scot-factsheet-students-disabled-Oct13.pdf for more information, as they are counted as income.

Also, studying at the OU is seriously tough. Perhaps sort out the MH issues first and then look at university, as it is almost impossible to study and work on your MH at the same time, as they both take up so much valuable brain space and physical time. You need to get well before you embark on such a draining thing, and you will need to be ready to get out there in a couple of years (they fly by).

My advice is to see a MH professional first and sort out what needs doing first, then look at universities.

pmlindyloo

Nobody_knows wrote: »

Hi,

I am currently on ESA because I have mental health issues and I am suicidal due to an abusive childhood and I have weekly therapy sessions but I want to do a degree course which is part-time with the open university and I did ring up the benefits office and they said you can't study and claim ESA benefits.

I can't support myself as of yet as I struggle to get out of the house due to anxiety and mental health issues but I was hoping to work on my mental health and due a degree so by the end of the course, I would hopefully be able to get a job and keep it.

What do I do ? Is there any other solution ?

Please ignore the judgemental posts.

You can claim ESA as a part time student as long as you meet all the other requirements.

http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/how-we-can-help/individuals/education/frequently-asked-questions-students

It is possible that the Job Centre misunderstood the kind of course you would be doing.

Get the details of the course and then ask the question again.

Good luck.

[Deleted User]

Why bother replying if you quite obviously dont know or are not willing to give the right answer.

http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/how-we-can-help/individuals/education/frequently-asked-questions-students

missbiggles1

DomRavioli wrote: »

Hi OP,

I've been at OU for four years now (just entering my fifth), and I have MH issues also.

I studied at OU when I was on ESA a couple of years ago; as you would need to get a student loan to cover fees, and this may be counted as income, this is where you may find you come unstuck (I'm a pre-2012 intake so my funding is completely different). See http://www.cpag.org.uk/sites/default/files/cpag-scot-factsheet-students-disabled-Oct13.pdf for more information, as they are counted as income.

Also, studying at the OU is seriously tough. Perhaps sort out the MH issues first and then look at university, as it is almost impossible to study and work on your MH at the same time, as they both take up so much valuable brain space and physical time. You need to get well before you embark on such a draining thing, and you will need to be ready to get out there in a couple of years (they fly by).

My advice is to see a MH professional first and sort out what needs doing first, then look at universities.

That factsheet is only relevant for those in Scotland and certainly doesn't say what you state, as it's wrong.

Indie_Kid

_CC_ wrote: »

You have the answer in your post - you can't study and claim ESA.

Depending on your degree, wouldn't you have to leave the house to do the exams anyway?

I doubt there are many jobs where having an OU degree is critical, so why can't you just work on your mental health and then get a non graduate job (which many people with degrees end up in anyway)?

You can study part time and claim ESA. If you study full time, you have to be in receipt of DLA or PIP to Receive ESA.

The tuition fee loan isn't classed as income. You only get a loan for fees.

SeduLOUs

I'm in my third year of OU studying part time whilst working full time. Honestly the studying is far harder than my actual job, with extremely tight deadlines, lots of assignments, and I personally think the face to face tutorials (approx fortnightly at university locations about 20 miles from home) are essential to do well even though they are optional.

I also don't understand how you would be able to be successful at it if you are not capable of working.

I wish I could study full time and not work, but bills need to be paid, so unfortunately for me free time is a luxury I'm short on for the next 4 years.

Nobody_knows

SeduLOUs wrote: »

I'm in my third year of OU studying part time whilst working full time. Honestly the studying is far harder than my actual job, with extremely tight deadlines, lots of assignments, and I personally think the face to face tutorials (approx fortnightly at university locations about 20 miles from home) are essential to do well even though they are optional.

I also don't understand how you would be able to be successful at it if you are not capable of working.

I wish I could study full time and not work, but bills need to be paid, so unfortunately for me free time is a luxury I'm short on for the next 4 years.

I didn't say I wasn't capable of working - but my current position is I have mental health issues and other problems that resulted from an abusive childhood - I didn't ask to have them. But I am doing the best I can to deal with them.

Believe me I would love to work and be "normal" like everyone but I can't do that right now, I have a volunteer position once a week and my I can barely do that.

DomRavioli

Nobody_knows wrote: »

I didn't say I wasn't capable of working - but my current position is I have mental health issues and other problems that resulted from an abusive childhood - I didn't ask to have them. But I am doing the best I can to deal with them.

Believe me I would love to work and be "normal" like everyone but I can't do that right now, I have a volunteer position once a week and my I can barely do that.

You need to sort your MH issues first. You won't be able to study and achieve anywhere near your potential, and tutorials are very very helpful.

And apologies for the incorrect link, I'm on a different funding stream so I have no clue on it.

marleyboy

Hi OP, please ignore the judgemental posts from those who are far too busy pointing their fingers and waggling them, than knowing any facts whatsoever.

Post #5 is a good starting point for you to look into, good luck in your venture,