Advanced learner loan and benefits

pleasedelete

Brief situation.

21 year old with a young child. Relationship broken down- were claiming WTC and housing benefit as couple.

Wants to do a BTEC extended diploma. College said it was possible and she would get benefits. Benefits now say no. It seems that in order to pay the £3000 course fees she has to apply for an advanced leaner loan and that counts as income and so she will not be eligible of benefits?

Or is its that you cant be a full-time students and claim benefits? Whilst its is full-time it would be possible to work as well as the hours are not long.

Seems madness that they will support her not working but when she wants to do training there is no help?

Alice_Holt

Students and Benefits are a complex area.

Some info here:
http://www.nus.org.uk/en/advice/money-and-funding/can-i-claim-government-benefits-as-a-student/

Housing Benefit info:
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/what_is_housing_benefit/housing_benefit_for_students

Can she go back to the college for more info?
Does the college have access to a welfare advice service?

My thoughts are that the college is more likely to be correct if the loan is only to cover the course fees. However, if the loan includes a maintenence element for living expenses, this will be counted as income by the DWP and will reduce her Income Support.

Re: Child Tax Credits, has she ended the joint claim and started a single claim? .
Again any part of the loan paid to support living expenses is likely to be treated as current year income.

Has she a breakdown of the possible loan, and what element (if any) is to cover living expenses?

This http://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/further-education/resources/all-loans-factsheet.aspx
seems to suggest that "These loans help you to pay the fees charged by colleges and training organisations.". If that is the case, then the advice from the DWP may be incorrect. Can she contact them again with more info about the loan, and a breakdown of the tuition fee loan element and the maintenance element?

The Disability Rights Handbook has (I think) a chapter on Student Benefits. A local / college library may have a copy. Ask her local CAB?

pleasedelete

Thanks

She went in to start a single claim and they said that the income from the fees grant would stop it. She hasn't been claiming anything for a few weeks since she moved out of the family home with the baby. I know that she has just claimed to have the child benefit moved to her and that stopped the tax credits to her ex partner? They only recent started claiming anything despite being eligible for some time.

I have been looking online all day and I think that she is actually eligible to get the course free as although she started another level 3 she stopped before completion when she had the baby.

[Deleted User]

My son received ESA and has just made a claim for a 19+ loan to cover fees only. The money will be paid directly to the college, so I'm not totally sure this can count as income.

I think benefits are misquoting a rule.

I'd suggest calling the college and clarifying this with them. Doubt it the only time this question has been raised with them.