Universal Credit & Student Status?

xjennyc123x

Hi,

I know it's unlikely anyone will have the answer to my question, since even the universal credit helpline don't. I put a claim in for UC in June after losing my job, and to keep them off my back I became self employed. (I make cakes from home). Starting this month I became a full time student. (I have children so I can still claim UC in education). I'm only in college lessons for 15 hours a week but have a heavy 'out of lesson time' workload, which is why the course is marked as full time.

Because of the workload I'm already getting, and having kids I want to stop the cakes so I can focus on the course and get my stuff done so I can get the distinctions I need to go to uni next year. Does anyone know if dropping the self employment will mean that I have to sign on and look for jobs every fortnight again despite having a full time college workload? I'm hoping I can get away with it since I'm spending all my spare time working, or sleeping (and that's with no cakes to do, I didn't take any orders for this week or last week)

Thanks again, probably not gonna get a definite answer. But I appreciate your reading and any input just the same.

Feyfangirl

I used to work at the Job Center as a work experience student, so I will answer as best as I can I think that if you are going straight for the equivalent of Job Seekers Income Based Allowance on Universal Credit then you will end up having to look for work based on the job seekers agreement (and would be most likely told to ditch the course in favor of work)

I think it's slightly different from an ESA standpoint. Shall try find out for you though I know how important studies are, especially when trying to get into uni, trying to juggle that and work is a nightmare! huge respect to you for doing it and good luck x

pmlindyloo

So far I have found this:

http://www.cpag.org.uk/content/escalating-conditionality

which says that if you are full time student then you would be placed in the no work related activities group.

I do not know whether there is more up to date information - sorry - will keep looking.

Are you receiving any loans/grants etc? Some of these will be taken as income for UC purposes. I have a feeling that being in receipt of these may make the difference between being placed in the 'no work related acitivites' group or not.

Do check with your college that you have applied for all possible grants/loans/bursaries.

sammyjammy

Is fifteen hours college based learning classed as FT though?