Leaving my job while on Universal Credit and then studying

maths_teacher123

I’m planning to leave my job as a teacher at the end of August and to start a full-time degree 3.5 weeks later. I’m also on Universal Credit. Can I be sanctioned for leaving my job? I can’t keep my job until I start my studies since my school would not employ me just for 3 weeks in the new school year. I’m eligible for UC even as a student as I am a lone parent and I am also eligible for a maintenance student loan.

tomtom256

You could be, as it would be classed as leaving voluntary, so should go to a decision maker for them to decide.
It would depend on why you where taking that action.

poppy12345

maths_teacher123 said:

I am also eligible for a maintenance student loan.

Which will affect the amount of UC you're entitled to (even if you decide not to take the loan). You need to make sure you report the changes with the maintenance loan too.

maths_teacher123

I’m leaving my job so I can start uni in September. I know that the maintenance loan will be counted as unearned income and that is ok.
Should I let UC know as soon as I have a letter from Student Finance with all the dates and amounts or should I wait until I leave my job?
Thank you.

poppy12345

It's only April so no need to tell them until you've left your job. Then report the changes again once you have the student loan.

calcotti

Seems to me that, if they tried to sanction you, you have good reason (in that you can't do it any other way) so would be able to challenge any such approach. Hopefully, if you explain the reasons, the question will not arise. 

You may be expected to look for work in the intervening weeks,

maths_teacher123

Thank you, everyone, for all the helpful comments.

Rubyroobs

Can you do supply teaching for a few weeks ?

maths_teacher123

Rubyroobs said:

Can you do supply teaching for a few weeks ?

Thank you. Will look into it.
Could also try to join NHS bank staff as I’m going to study a healthcare course.

Rubyroobs

maths_teacher123 said:

Rubyroobs said:

Can you do supply teaching for a few weeks ?

Thank you. Will look into it.
Could also try to join NHS bank staff as I’m going to study a healthcare course.

A word of warning about NHS bank ! I applied in January this year and am only now at a point where I am ready to start shifts and actually won't be as in the meantime I have a new full time job. The HR process has been abysmal so make sure you apply in plenty of time ! I spoke to someone yesterday who knew someone who had been waiting a year between interview and actually starting in post.

NedS

calcotti said:

Seems to me that, if they tried to sanction you, you have good reason (in that you can't do it any other way) so would be able to challenge any such approach. Hopefully, if you explain the reasons, the question will not arise. 

You may be expected to look for work in the intervening weeks,

I disagree. They are voluntarily leaving paid employment making themselves dependent (or more dependent) upon the state without good reason. It will be a sanction.