Benefits and full-time Open University

earthbound_misfit

Sorry, Sangie, my post sounded way more sarcastic than intended. I would love it if someone geneuinely said "Oh, x job would suit you!" I am hoping that if I manage full time OU this year then I'd start volunteering and looking for part time work as the next step up (there's a 4 month break before I'd start the next course part time, would then ideally be working part time and studying part time for as long as savings last until I am hopefully by then ready for full time work.)
I think I'm going to have to make enquiries, unfortunately. And presumably not do the second course. So disappointing.

Mrs_Ryan

I'm studying full time (120 credits) with the OU and claiming ESA. It doesn't affect my benefit. I'm about to go onto Level 3 (final year) and did Level 1 and 2 full time as well.

sangie595

earthbound_misfit wrote: »

Sorry, Sangie, my post sounded way more sarcastic than intended. I would love it if someone geneuinely said "Oh, x job would suit you!" I am hoping that if I manage full time OU this year then I'd start volunteering and looking for part time work as the next step up (there's a 4 month break before I'd start the next course part time, would then ideally be working part time and studying part time for as long as savings last until I am hopefully by then ready for full time work.)
I think I'm going to have to make enquiries, unfortunately. And presumably not do the second course. So disappointing.

Why not think about volunteering now. There actually are roles that can be done flexibly in the way you describe. Admittedly, not thousands, but you only have to find one. For example, where I live there are always opportunities for talking books and magazines for the blind - the commercially available ones don't include a lot of alternatives. Book-keeping for small charities - nobody ever wants to keep the books! These are the sorts of things where a few days of doing nothing is often the norm rather than the adjustment! Nobody yet died because the books needed the last couple of cheques entering, or the latest instalment of the community magazine wasn't quite finished.

Volunteer centres exist around the country, and you won't be asking for anywhere near the most unusual requests. If you explain your circumstances, they will always do their best to help you find something that suits. Another alternative would be to contact a few places directly and see if there is anything that they can offer or suggest. And what about a local group - being an active neighbour doesn't always mean that they need regular activity or someone who is always there.

CIS

Mrs_Ryan wrote: »

I'm studying full time (120 credits) with the OU and claiming ESA. It doesn't affect my benefit. I'm about to go onto Level 3 (final year) and did Level 1 and 2 full time as well.

You should be getting a council tax disregard (and possibly an exemption)

Craig

earthbound_misfit

sangie595 wrote: »

Why not think about volunteering now. There actually are roles that can be done flexibly in the way you describe ... And what about a local group - being an active neighbour doesn't always mean that they need regular activity or someone who is always there.

Actually I am looking out for something like that. I sort of sorted it in my mind into "doing x thing thats actually quite fun" rather than "volunteering in a way to get used to paid work"! So (in the strange world in my head) by "starting volunteering" I meant something like 2 days a week in a charity shop or similar. With the difficulties I have 2 days a week volunteering is a step up from full-time study, weirdly. I do really struggle with being well enough at set times which is why OU is so great. But I am on the lookout for something more casual eg. a group nearby does litter picks, seems quite ad hoc but trying to find out when they are doing the next one!

earthbound_misfit

Mrs_Ryan wrote: »

I'm studying full time (120 credits) with the OU and claiming ESA. It doesn't affect my benefit. I'm about to go onto Level 3 (final year) and did Level 1 and 2 full time as well.

May I ask, are you cliaming PIP as well? I know that makes a difference. Also, where did you find out that it was ok to do 120 credits a year whilst on benefits? I'm trying to find out the information from the original source! I know 60 credits a year is ok as I waded through the Decision Maker's Guide and so on, but the rules on more seem very vague! Did you just tell the DWP your plan and they said it was ok?

missbiggles1

earthbound_misfit wrote: »

Thanks. But... how do you know this? That's what's worrying me. It almost seems like hearsay!

If they were full time courses, you'd be eligible for a maintenance loan.

missbiggles1

CIS wrote: »

The Open University do not call themselves full time (as a general rule) however for Council Tax purposes it matters not what the OU term them - the rules to meet are set out in Council Tax legislation (if anyone's interested in a read take a look a the link I posted for a Valuation Tribunal Hearing).

Other benefits etc may have different definitions they use.

Craig

Surely that simply means that CT will give full student exemption if they consider it to be full time?

missbiggles1

Mrs_Ryan wrote: »

I'm studying full time (120 credits) with the OU and claiming ESA. It doesn't affect my benefit. I'm about to go onto Level 3 (final year) and did Level 1 and 2 full time as well.

That's because OU study isn't considered to be full time.

CIS

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Surely that simply means that CT will give full student exemption if they consider it to be full time?

It would give an exemption if all the adult occupiers were full time students - many OU students are wrongly turned away by local authorities.

Craig