New Style ESA, PIP, Universal Credit, Studying

djljcd1

Hello,

I’m looking for some advice. My mother has been disabled since childhood. Despite this she has worked full time and has 40+ years of full NI contributions. She stopped working in her 50s due to deteriorating health and now receives Universal Credit and New Style ESA due to her NI contributions. She has LCWRA. Whatever she receives in NS ESA reduces her UC. She also receives PIP. She wants to begin studying a 3 year degree course with the Open University as a mature student with additional disability support, but is concerned about the potential impact this may have on existing benefits. She is under 60, has not studied before, and would be applying for student finance to fund the degree. She has enquired through her online journal a few times but received no reply - I’m not sure if she has a work coach due to her LCWRA. Can anyone please offer any advice? She cannot afford to lose any of her benefits but she would really like to study for a degree as it’s something she never got the chance to do.

Kimi87

Benefits and disabled students are a complex area.

I suggest you contact Disability Rights UK who have a Disabled Students Helpline.

https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/disabled-students-helpline?srsltid=AfmBOooyGmdYk1duWy2X9CwAKjSwfOv74cPUAbVk5W52CO_l4xNYtOQj

Mary_Scope

Hi @djljcd1

Kimi is right and it is definetly worth contacting the Disabled Students Helpline as they should be able to give the correct specific information that your mother needs in order to make her decision.

I also found who is a full-time student for benefit purposes? which I hope will be helpful