UK. I am on housing benefit plus jobseekers is their?

Question

Any way I can go to college for more than 16 hours without losing the housing benefit as in part time work, the college course is 24 hrs.I dont want to ponse nor a Mcjob.The college has accepted me but now it seems my bedsit is in jeopardy if I acccept.
Any suggestions no freeloader comments as I am making an effort!

Answer 1

I was in the same position as you so i am 100% sure what i am about to tell you is correct.
Your claim would become one for Income support, housing would remain unchanged, your course costs would be paid.

Adult learner grants are not available unless you go onto University as a suppliment to the student load scheme.

I did a access to higher education course for a year while on benefits and then went on to University to complete a Degree.
I also received Tax credits because i was a single parent, i don't feel guilty about asking the state for help since in the previous 20 yrs i had paid hundreds of thousands of pounds in taxes to support a social system that allows people irrespective of race, sex, or disabled or able bodied to have a chance to improve their lives and of their families, in the knowledge that they too will re-enter the working community and contribute to the next member of our society that needs help.
I am not a complete idealist i am well aware that there are a number of people who abuse the system this in its self does not by any means prove the system is wrong, on the contrary it only highlights the system needs to continue to learn to improve just as we all do.

Just an additional note, anyone who tells you to massage your hours or be less than honest in any way is a fool, for the following reason.
Section 16 of the Theft act 1968 creates the offence of 'Gaining pecunary advantage by deception' as a form of theft.
Deception was defined by the House of Lords in the case 'Globe', the definition is ' leading someone to believe somthing is true when it is in fact false'
For the puposes of the offence pecunary means financial.
In other words if you recieve money (benefits) as a result of making a false statement you will be committing theft and liable upon conviction to be sentanced upto 5yrs imprisonment.
Additionaly if you get help to do this, for example you get someone to agree to be less than honest about the facts, they would also be liable to prosecution and charged with conspiracy to commit theft which would mean that they would be sentanced in the same way as the principle (you)
This all even applies if you you are un-successful in making a claim as you could be prosecuted for attemped theft the moment you provide the false information.
So in short honesty is best.

Go for it, good luck.

Answer 2

Talk to your college, if your tutors could confirm you are doing less than 16 hours, even if your doing more that may help.
Try talking to people within the college, the benefits agency usually dont care much for their clients but care more for finding ways out of paying your bennefit so be carfall what you tell them.
Have you herd of an (ALG) Adult Learning Grant you may be able to get your weekly living contributions through this and a part time job of some description may be unavoidable. What ever happens dont let anything stop you doing your studies if they are what you realy want to do... People from war torn countrys with no money or little help manage to come over here and make a way for themselfs so if its what you want to do theres no excuse.
College advisors are your best bet. Have you thought of sharing with other students, or great idea !!!!!!! living in a van, convert it into your own home, youde be a college legend *:) A big long wheel bas high top van, with a bed sette in it, camping stove, and some big containers for water to get your washing sorted.
Good luck dude *:)

Answer 3

First up - well done for trying to better yourself and go off to college!

Secondly - Housing Benefit will be unaffected so your bed-sit will no be at risk.

You will however loose your JSA as you are not available for work should a job become available. But don't worry, the Student finance services of your local council will be able to point you towards grant/loans that may be available and the Benefits team at your council will be able to assess you for income support.

Good luck with your course!

Answer 4

In my experience, the college have always been happy to massage the hours a little in order for you to receive your benefits without trouble. As it is, you might get less Jobseekers but you should be still able to claim full HB.

Also, unless you've got kids to support, the expectation is for you to take a part-time job on the side to support yourself. I had to do it, and I flipped pasties in Greggs to see my through my studies. So really, it's not time to be snobby about McJobbies :-)

Answer 5

You have your claim accepted and you are okay, so don't worry I am old enough to remmber the days when there was no benefit system at all or NHS. My oldest sister got pregnant and my Father packed her clothes and threw her out the same day she told my mother. She managed to find shelter through the Salvation Army and got 10 shillings a week from the parish (50p.) Good job those days will never come back.

Answer 6

does a college course count?as you are not being paid so make appt to speak to someone in person not over phone about rent benifit and make a note of thier full name go and discuss it it maybe ok as you wont be getting money.keeptheir name as if anyproblem srise you can give details of whom said what.(tip:when even phoning benifits offices allways get the name of person advising you as ive had problems and you got proof.

Answer 7

Go to Citizens Advice and ask to speak to the person who deals with this kind of thing ,they will be able to tell you which is the best path to take and help you fill forms in for you.good luck as you say you are trying.

Answer 8

If you're in full time education you may be able to apply for income support and there's no reason you should lose your housing benefit, only the JSA will be dropped. check with your benefits office.

Answer 9

get a job and study at the same time...we all did that! How can you guys accept living on benefits while you are not handicapped!!!

Answer 10

best to speak to the benefits people. they can advise what you can and can't claim.