LCWRA & Studying

Cryingemoji

Hi all,

I've been finding the information online about this topic rather confused.

I'm currently in receipt of LCWRA (but not PIP).  I want to be prepared for when LCWRA is scrapped and have thought about studying to become a driving instructor, by having advanced driving lessons, most likely once per week.

I do not believe that the training  contradicts my reasons for receiving LCWRA.

Is this allowed? 
Do I need to inform the dwp?

Also if family are helping me to pay for the lessons, do I need to declare it to dwp?

Thank you. 

Spoonie_Turtle

I don't think there's anything you need to tell them about.  This isn't a full-time advanced education course, and gifts of money from friends and family are not counted as income.  (The money would be capital, but unless it takes your savings above £6,000 at the end of any assessment period it's not relevant to your claim.)

huckster

You could ask Job Centre whether they can consider providing financial support for advanced driving lessons to become a driving instructor. Under Job Centre Flexible Support Fund Low Value Provision, they might consider such an application, if you provide enough information.  No harm in asking.

elsien

Have you looked into the reality of being a driving instructor? A neighbour of mine did after he had to give up his job following an accident and developing mobility issues, using one of the national franchises. 
Despite living in a busy town, (or maybe because of, and the number of instructors are already in business) he struggled getting enough clients to make a decent living. Ended looking at jobs as a Tesco delivery driver instead. 

Cryingemoji

Thanks for the replies.

Elsien I totally get what you're saying and I've been thinking about this myself.

Sadly, the whole thing might be a non starter when you factor in all the costs involved.

I feel completely stuck in my life and want to make positive changes for the future, but I'm restricted by my health condition and financial situation.

Spoonie_Turtle

Have you investigated PIP, for some financial support?

Cryingemoji

Yes, I have looked at PIP, I took an online example but wouldn't score the required number of points. 

Plus, if they do end up changing it to 4 points in one category, then it will be even harder to get in the future if / when LCWRA is scrapped.

Spoonie_Turtle

Have you read up about how exactly it's all assessed?  Because taking the descriptors at face value (which most people taking those online tests tend to do, it's natural to assume that what's written is what's meant) leads lots of people to think they wouldn't qualify.

In case you haven't read up about it, some general advice is to have a look at the following links and especially take note of RELIABLY:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/how-decisions-are-made/  and the PDFs linked therein

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form-pip/

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria   - long read, it's the official guidance, but RELIABLY is probably the most important section to start off with


You might also be able to find decent information tailored to your type of disability; the above is general advice as I said but it does apply to physical, neurological, and mental conditions (and any other type I may have missed).

It is fairly unusual for someone to have LCWRA but genuinely not qualify for PIP; it can happen so it might indeed be the case for you, but more often people who have LCWRA and don't claim PIP have either not claimed because they don't think they qualify, or their claim was wrongly rejected and they didn't have the energy to fight.

Cryingemoji

Thanks so much for all the info Spoonie.  I'll take a look ..

TimeLord1

Cryingemoji said:

Hi all,

I've been finding the information online about this topic rather confused.

I'm currently in receipt of LCWRA (but not PIP).  I want to be prepared for when LCWRA is scrapped and have thought about studying to become a driving instructor, by having advanced driving lessons, most likely once per week.

I do not believe that the training  contradicts my reasons for receiving LCWRA.

Is this allowed? 
Do I need to inform the dwp?

Also if family are helping me to pay for the lessons, do I need to declare it to dwp?

Thank you. 

I think if you pay for your own education or training it's fine but if it was Government funded course or Training then they would need to be aware. 

Cryingemoji

TimeLord1 said:

Cryingemoji said:

Hi all,

I've been finding the information online about this topic rather confused.

I'm currently in receipt of LCWRA (but not PIP).  I want to be prepared for when LCWRA is scrapped and have thought about studying to become a driving instructor, by having advanced driving lessons, most likely once per week.

I do not believe that the training  contradicts my reasons for receiving LCWRA.

Is this allowed? 
Do I need to inform the dwp?

Also if family are helping me to pay for the lessons, do I need to declare it to dwp?

Thank you. 

I think if you pay for your own education or training it's fine but if it was Government funded course or Training then they would need to be aware. 

Ok thanks.