ESA, Housing Benefit & Online Study

waterisgood

Hey everyone, i'm in desperate need of advice and would appreciate any input...

I'm 18 years old and my mum receives ESA, PiP and Housing Benefit because of her extensive list of serious health problems. I can't ask her for advice because she is currently sleeping through a lot of pain and its very difficult for her to focus, so here i am.

I'm told that in order for my mum to continue receiving ESA & Housing Benefit (its in her name) I need to be in full time education. However there are no colleges near me with courses that interest me / offer anything good. I'd also prefer to study online as it allows me to look after her at home as well as get more flexible hours at work. The courses online are also credited higher than the ones i'd find in my local college.

I'm just wondering if they will accept online study as full time education? I'm planning on starting an Access Module with Open University in February, but from what I understand, the council only considers this as part time education...So what will happen to the benefits? Can I go ahead with this?

If push comes to shove then i'll just call them and ask. I'm only worried that they may start asking questions and find out i'm not currently in school

Any help + advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

tomtom256

Whether you are in full time education will not affect her ESA claim.


In respect of HB it will just mean she gets less as you would be expected to pay your way by a non-dep deduction.

tboo

waterisgood wrote: »

Hey everyone, i'm in desperate need of advice and would appreciate any input...

I'm 18 years old and my mum receives ESA, PiP and Housing Benefit because of her extensive list of serious health problems. I can't ask her for advice because she is currently sleeping through a lot of pain and its very difficult for her to focus, so here i am.

I'm told that in order for my mum to continue receiving ESA & Housing Benefit (its in her name) I need to be in full time education. However there are no colleges near me with courses that interest me / offer anything good. I'd also prefer to study online as it allows me to look after her at home as well as get more flexible hours at work. The courses online are also credited higher than the ones i'd find in my local college.

I'm just wondering if they will accept online study as full time education? I'm planning on starting an Access Module with Open University in February, but from what I understand, the council only considers this as part time education...So what will happen to the benefits? Can I go ahead with this?

If push comes to shove then i'll just call them and ask. I'm only worried that they may start asking questions and find out i'm not currently in school

Any help + advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

The council will know you aren't in education if your mum is no longer in receipt of child benefit and child tax credits, they wil write to her to ask what you are doing.

If you don't go back into education then if your mum is in receipt of PIP - daily living - then she won't incur a non dependant deduction.

If you are reluctant to telephone them because you think it will cause her trouble then she needs help form other sources eg CAB as you can do more harm than good by assisting her - you mean well though.

The fact you are no longer at school may be asked, it may not be, it's all dependant on CTC etc so I suggest you call or get a relative to do it.