ESA and college

Keen2Change

Hi,

I’m a single Mum of a 19 month old. I currently receive ESA in the support group due to my OCD & Borderline Personality Disorder, however, I do not want my child to grow up on benefits, having nothing, and have enrolled ion an Access To Higher Education course at college with a view to starting a Law Degree next year.

I am aware at some point my ESS will stop but will this be the time I apply for Student Financial help or will get pay me up until my next assessment?

Do I need to sign off in September? Also would I be eligible to claim Income Support?

Thanks in advance

Alice_Holt

I would recommend you contact these people:
https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/how-we-can-help/helplines/disabled-students-helpline

(But be aware that they are busy, and have limited resources. So it may take a number of calls to get through to an advisor)

Also speak to the Student Welfare Officer at your college.

If you are in receipt of PIP (or DLA) then your ESA can continue as a student. If you are not receiving this qualifying disability benefit, do think seriously about applying. Get help with this (advice agency / CAB / etc).

This may be useful (but note it's produced by CPAG Scotland):
https://cpag.org.uk/sites/default/files/files/resource/Benefits%20for%20Disabled%20Students%20%28March%2019%29.pdf

TELLIT01

Income Support is no longer available to new claimants, to the best of my knowledge. If you ceased to be entitled to ESA it would be necessary to claim UC.