Can I get careers allowance if I'm a student in my situation?

Harmon28

Hi everyone
I've been on this forum before but forgot my password and email I used.

Im a single mum and a full time uni student adamant that I will finish this last year with no gaps :eek:

My daughter was born 16 weeks early. Diagnosed with chronic lung disease and required to have home oxygen. Also has a pda heart condition which may require surgery. Expected to receive highest rate of care (as told by community nurse)

Well she was home Thursday and I can honestly say it is so much more demanding than the average new born due to her complex issues. I am up every hour of the night because of that monitor alarming, adjusting oxygen, holding her because her heart rate spirals because she panics. I have to change her tubing daily (and the times she pulls it out) and her probe for her monitor. Getting even downstairs is a nightmare I mostly stay in my room now.

I have read online students can not usually get careers allowance unless they're exempt from a module or something as the must care for them for 35 hours a week. Well I'm in uni 3 full days a week (classed as full time) specialist childminder will have her during these times. Meaning I will have her 4 days of the week plus will still be caring for her in the night. So even though I'm at uni, I will be caring for her way over 35 hours a week.

Is it likely I will receive this?

suki1964

no

You are classed as being in full time education


Has your child been awarded benefits in her own right?

Harmon28

I have only sent the forms off for dla today, but expecting to get the high rate care (as told by her nurse) and a higher rate of tax credits.

My next question is, if I can not get careers allowance, could another family member get it for her? My reasoning behind that is if so, my mum could care for her instead of getting childcare which is the preferred option anyway. So Would her nan be able to get it or is it exclusively for parents?

Ames

Anyone can get it, as long as they meet the criteria. They need to do 35 hours a week, and not earn more than about £115 a week after certain deductions. The person being cared for needs to be in receipt of DLA middle or higher rate, or PIP daily living. It doesn't have to be parents, it can be other relatives or friends.

HB58

Ames wrote: »

Anyone can get it, as long as they meet the criteria. They need to do 35 hours a week, and not earn more than about £115 a week after certain deductions. The person being cared for needs to be in receipt of DLA middle or higher rate, or PIP daily living. It doesn't have to be parents, it can be other relatives or friends.

and the person receiving it must not be in receipt of any other 'wage replacement benefit' such as ESA, JSA or State Retirement Pension.