Unemployed 19 year old student and can't provide for family?

suchiexxx

I'm a 19 year old uni student who studies from home. I lost my job last month, which meant that me and my Mom would be without much money.
My Mom is disabled and cannot work, when I worked I had to pay £300 for rent which went straight to the council to our landlord, so I'd give my Mom an extra £100 for food and bills, which helped her a lot.
I tried to sign onto universal credit but they told me that my last payment in end of December was too much to claim & that they cannot pay me until the end of Feb, so that's 2 months without any money. What they don't understand, is that I had to pay £300 of my wages for rent and £100 for board, but they said that this was an "arrangement" between me and my Mom, and that board has nothing to do with my Mom's tenancy agreement, which is fair enough but this money wasn't "board" as it was going straight to the council which they sent our landlord.
The rest of my money paid bills, and I was left with a little bit to last, which has now gone.

I have 60p to last me 5 weeks, my Mom is struggling too and we have no food in. I've skipped 3 meals at the moment, and until my Mom gets paid (a very small amount) on Wednesday, we have nothing, at all.

I'm applying for as many jobs as I can, and I don't get any student finance either as I study with the Open University (from home). What can I do to make some cash? Or does anyone know of any companies that are recruiting, no matter where the location is?
Thank you in advance!

kazwookie

Is your mother claiming the benefits she can?

marliepanda

You cannot claim a rental allowance from HB as I am guessing you have no rent liability at your mothers house. I also wasn't aware that UC could be claimed by students but Im not expert on the matter.

Do you get a student loan? if not, why not?

Your mum should have other benefits, things like PIp possibly if she is disabled, ESA or income support as an 'out of work' benefit. She should also be claiming council tax reduction and housing benefit in her own right (or UC if your area requires people in her situation to)

Why does your mum have no income?

xapprenticex

Yeah i think your mom may need a benefits check, she should be getting HB, DLA/ESA.

Are you like 2 people in a 5 bed house that you cant afford? Considering your moms situation, you shouldnt be THAT hard up so i advise a Ben. check.

pmlindyloo

I am presuming that your mother was having a non dependent deduction made to her housing benefit as you were working.

Your mum needs to inform the council that you are no longer working and are in the process of claiming Universal Credit (again I am presuming that your claim has been accepted although they won't pay you until the end of February) so that the non dependent reduction can be changed.

I do not believe that studying with the Open University classes you as a student for benefit help for yourself as this is a course that can be done in your 'spare time' and is not full time studying.

You need to find a job, any job asap and do your studying in your spare time. Is your CV up to date? Get that sorted and start job searching. I don't know where you live but the internet is your best bet to see what is currently available.

If you live near a largish town might also be worth getting out and going into shops/pubs/restaurants to see if there is anything available, even as a stop gap.

And yes, if your mum is disabled then they she should make sure she is receiving all the benefits she is entitled to.

In the meantime, speak to your landlord and explain the situation and that your mum is reporting a change of circumstances and waiting on a new award.

Presumably if you were paid at the end of December then January's rent was paid?

[Deleted User]

suchiexxx wrote: »

I have 60p to last me 5 weeks, my Mom is struggling too and we have no food in.!

Sounds like you need a Foodbank referral.

CIS

suchiexxx wrote: »

I'm a 19 year old uni student who studies from home. I lost my job last month, which meant that me and my Mom would be without much money.
My Mom is disabled and cannot work, when I worked I had to pay £300 for rent which went straight to the council to our landlord, so I'd give my Mom an extra £100 for food and bills, which helped her a lot.
I tried to sign onto universal credit but they told me that my last payment in end of December was too much to claim & that they cannot pay me until the end of Feb, so that's 2 months without any money. What they don't understand, is that I had to pay £300 of my wages for rent and £100 for board, but they said that this was an "arrangement" between me and my Mom, and that board has nothing to do with my Mom's tenancy agreement, which is fair enough but this money wasn't "board" as it was going straight to the council which they sent our landlord.
The rest of my money paid bills, and I was left with a little bit to last, which has now gone.

I have 60p to last me 5 weeks, my Mom is struggling too and we have no food in. I've skipped 3 meals at the moment, and until my Mom gets paid (a very small amount) on Wednesday, we have nothing, at all.

I'm applying for as many jobs as I can, and I don't get any student finance either as I study with the Open University (from home). What can I do to make some cash? Or does anyone know of any companies that are recruiting, no matter where the location is?
Thank you in advance!

Depending on how many hours you're studying for you may be able to be disregarded for council tax purposes.

If the household is struggling it's also worth looking at applying for a discretionary assistance under section 13A(1)(c).

BorisThomson

marliepanda wrote: »

You cannot claim a rental allowance from HB as I am guessing you have no rent liability at your mothers house. I also wasn't aware that UC could be claimed by students but Im not expert on the matter.

Do you get a student loan? if not, why not?

Your mum should have other benefits, things like PIp possibly if she is disabled, ESA or income support as an 'out of work' benefit. She should also be claiming council tax reduction and housing benefit in her own right (or UC if your area requires people in her situation to)

Why does your mum have no income?

OP is studying by OU, which is classed as part time by the DWP and hence they can claim out of work benefits.

OP have you signed up with agencies and let them know you're flexible on your hours? Don't tell you're studying (unless it is relevant to the role), as that will make them question your availability.

TBagpuss

OP, have you checked via https://www.entitledto.co.uk/ whether your mum is claiming everything she is entitled to?

Short term, ask bout food bank referrals - https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/ may help you find one local to you, asking your local CAB may also help you find what is available locally.

I agree with the suggestion to sign up with local employment agencies. Although it feels very old school, go to your local library and look for job ads in the local paper, too.

stuartJo1989

I admire you paying for your mum. I would do the same in your circumstances....

BUT what was happening just two years ago when you were 17?! How did your mum pay for you and maintain the property at the time?

I'm more asking because the IDEAL scenario is your mum being in a self sustainable position for the long term.

Beenherebefore

You absolutely can get student finance if you study with the OU. You can also usually get council tax discount as a student too.