Taking a sabbatical to study full time

Alice_Holt

wilko_1984 wrote: »

Thanks for feedback all. I can afford to support myself and my family without the need for government support, I am simply enquiring as to whether I have entitlement.

In very general terms - No you would not have have an entitlement.
You are not job seeking, nor are you unable to work due to ill health or disability.
Have you read the link I posted pointing you to UC claimant commitment?
Having read that - do you think an entitlement exists?

It would help if you answered the questions we have asked, particularly DS's question "What age are your children?"
Have you checked if you are in a UC area?
https://ucpostcode.entitledto.co.uk/ucdate
What savings / capital do you have?
Have you checked the savings limit to claim means tested Council Tax support on your LA's website?
Plus - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-a-home/student-housing/students-in-private-rented-accommodation/student-housing-council-tax/

I'm puzzled why, having asked the question, you won't give us the necessary details to enable us to answer it with more accuracy.

I assume you approached the Uni for info on grants / bursaries? I would imagine they would be able to give you better guidance on this topic than a public benefits forum. What was their answer? Which Uni will you be studying at?

sangie595

venison wrote: »

Or someone is looking to better themselves and is seeking advice on how the benefits system might help them and their family whilst they do just that.

Please try your best to give positive help to posters and be nice to them, otherwise people get put off asking for our help.
Thanks

As others have pointed out, some people, including myself, have studied to better ourselves and still had to afford to do that without the benefit system. Since the OP had clarified that they have savings to do this, good luck to them. But it's a matter of personal opinion whether asking someone whether they have planned to have no income for a year is "nice" or not. I would consider it irresponsible in the extreme to advise someone to "better themselves" on benefits which are not intended for that purpose. Hence the reason for the question.

xylophone

The OP should be grateful that his employer has agreed to hold his job open for a year rather than looking for taxpayer support to fund his quest for self fulfilment.....:) he wants jam on it!

Alice_Holt

xylophone wrote: »

The OP should be grateful that his employer has agreed to hold his job open for a year.......

Yes, that's the bit that would worry me.
A lot can happen in a workplace over a year....the employer may find that circumstances override that initial intention.
Certainly, for the OP with 2 young children and a stay at home wife, it seems very risky to me.

I'm still puzzled (since the OP has ignored my earlier questions) whether it would be better to pursue a distance learning masters (such as a MBA) whilst continuing to work in his career. Indeed many MBA's have a project element relating to current employment, and often larger organisations will sponsor such courses and be generous with study leave.
Or, perhaps, going down the route of acquiring a professional qualification (i.e CIPD, CIMA, etc) in his current career with the support of his employer.

sangie595

Alice_Holt wrote: »

Yes, that's the bit that would worry me.
A lot can happen in a workplace over a year....the employer may find that circumstances override that initial intention.
Certainly, for the OP with 2 young children and a stay at home wife, it seems very risky to me.

I'm still puzzled (since the OP has ignored my earlier questions) whether it would be better to pursue a distance learning masters (such as a MBA) whilst continuing to work in his career. Indeed many MBA's have a project element relating to current employment, and often larger organisations will sponsor such courses and be generous with study leave.
Or, perhaps, going down the route of acquiring a professional qualification (i.e CIPD, CIMA, etc) in his current career with the support of his employer.

In relation to the employment query, some employers do provide for such sabbatical arrangements. And they are no worse than staying in the workplace. Possibly. It depends on the terms of the sabbatical. But you are correct... A great many do not really preserve the employment position and give no real guarantees. But that's up to the OP to read the terms properly. And not assume they have a job at the end of this.

Mrs_Soup

It might be as well to try and "keep your hand in" by doing some part time work - many students work up to 20 hours per week on top of full time study so if your employer could use you one or two days a week you would be in a win win situation.