ESA contributions is it given to full time students on a healthcare course

ilovepink97
ilovepink97 Online Community Member Posts: 54 Connected
in Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)

Hi, I’m looking for advice about ESA and studying full-time.

I am currently in the ESA Support Group on contributions-based ESA and receive around £560 per month. I rely on this as my main income.

I am considering starting a full-time Speech and Language Therapy degree (37.5 hours per week, including NHS placements in the second and third year). However, I am unsure whether I will be able to continue the course long-term due to my health conditions, and I know the placements in later years can be quite demanding. I do want to try the course, but I am worried about what would happen if I am unable to continue or need to interrupt my studies.

I also have recurrent pregnancy loss and I am hoping to try for another pregnancy while at university. Because of my history, I may need to take time out from my studies if I become pregnant or if there are complications. I understand I may need to take a year out in that situation.

My Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is also due for reassessment soon, so I may not continue to receive that in the future.

My main concern is financial stability. If I lose my contributions-based ESA when I start studying, or if my PIP ends, I am worried I would have no stable income if I have to pause or stop the course for health or pregnancy reasons.

I also wanted to mention that I previously received ESA while I was a full-time student, but I am not sure if that would still apply now.

Could you please advise:

  • Whether I could continue receiving contributions-based ESA while on a full-time degree like this
  • How student finance or NHS Learning Support Fund would affect ESA
  • What would happen financially if I had to pause or leave the course due to health or pregnancy
  • Whether there are any protections or options in situations like mine

I am trying to make a careful decision because I do want to try the course, but I am worried about losing financial support if my health prevents me from continuing.

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