Mature Student & Benefits

cheap_charlie

I have been out of the job market for 15 years and really need to do a course before I re-enter the job market.

I need to do term-time work as my daughter is autistic so I am considering doing an HNC with a view towards becoming a Classroom Assistant.

I was widowed 3 months ago and currently receive Child Tax Credits, Widowed Parents Allowance and Carers Allowance.

Would I be able to continue receiving these if I proceeded with the course (which is just for one year)? What other benefits or financial help would I be entitled to?

I live in Scotland BTW.

Sailor_Sam

i am not at the moment working, (long term sick) i get IS, have started a p/t degree with the OU. 60pts per yr, they estimate 16hrs pwk. I went into my jobcentre they said it was fine, and i could stay on benefit.
They also said because i also get low rate DLA, if i had to come off 'sick', i could remain on IS (new rules), and i could carry on with studies till the end of rhe degree (6yrs) as long as i did not exceed 16hrs study

dmg24

Sailor Sam, your situation may be different because you are only studying part time (also you should be aware that if your DLA is stopped, your entitlement to IS will also stop).

cheap_charlie, is the HNC classed as A Level equivalent, or higher? How many hours a week would you be studying?

You would definitely still receive CTC, but you may lose your Carers Allowance. Strictly speaking, you cannot study full time and claim CA, however there has recently been a case that allowed this. Unfortunately I don't know the specifics of the case to say if it would apply to you.

Are you in receipt of IS at present?

brightonman123

dunno about benefits, but may be worth doing the ECDL (Europ Computer Driving Licence) - 10 weeks self study at various agencies around the UK- free of charge i think (mine was!); easily done in 5 weeks if you are computer savvy..

gets you up to speed with most latest systems (excel, email etc), and its something 'new' to add to a cv!

Oldernotwiser

HNC is equivalent to the first year of a degree; would I be right in assuming that you're studying it full time as you say it only takes a year? If you were in England you'd be expected to take out the student loan and this would effect any means tested benefits. I'm not sure if this is the same in Scotland.

lauranurse

Just a thought, but would you be able to get a job as a classroom assistant without doing the course, and then hopefully your employer would pay for you to do a relevant course such as the one you are looking at? That way you wold be getting paid too and wouldnt have to pay any course fees.

Obviously I dont know your individual situation so this may not be do-able for you, and it would all depend on whether someone would employ you as things stand. Just looking at my local council's website and there are LOADS of classroom assistant jobs being advertised so if it is the same where you live then you may stand quite a good chance of ebing employed on your terms.

cheap_charlie

I have been investigating further and the course isn't actually an HNC - its an Introductory Course.

I did apply for a job as a Classroom Assistant already but didn't even get an interview - and given my lack of experience or qualifications in the field (apart from being a parent!) I can understand why.

I do not get IS and the course is full-time with 20 hours of class work/lectures per week so I would obviously have to investigate if that would affect my Carers Allowance.

Would being a student affect my Council Tax?

dmg24

Being a full time student would mean that you are exempt from paying Council Tax.

[Deleted User]

dmg24 wrote: »

Sailor Sam, your situation may be different because you are only studying part time (also you should be aware that if your DLA is stopped, your entitlement to IS will also stop).

cheap_charlie, is the HNC classed as A Level equivalent, or higher? How many hours a week would you be studying?

You would definitely still receive CTC, but you may lose your Carers Allowance. Strictly speaking, you cannot study full time and claim CA, however there has recently been a case that allowed this. Unfortunately I don't know the specifics of the case to say if it would apply to you.

Are you in receipt of IS at present?

Have I always assumed incorrectly that CA is paid for looking after someone for 35 hours a week or more,surely that could be 5 hours 7 evenings a week etc and being in full time education wouldnt stop this?

Loopy_Girl

woodbine wrote: »

Have I always assumed incorrectly that CA is paid for looking after someone for 35 hours a week or more,surely that could be 5 hours 7 evenings a week etc and being in full time education wouldnt stop this?

I don't know about study but my Mum claimed CA for my Dad (until she got ill obviously) and she worked full time. As you say so long as it can be shown that it is 35 hours and above then it can be claimed.

dmg24

woodbine wrote: »

Have I always assumed incorrectly that CA is paid for looking after someone for 35 hours a week or more,surely that could be 5 hours 7 evenings a week etc and being in full time education wouldnt stop this?

This was the subject of the case that I mentioned above. However, if you refer to the govt information on CA, it still states that you cannot claim if you are a full time student.

Loopy Girl, how did your mum get past the earnings limit? Surely she earned more than the equivalent of £95 a week if working full time?