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ESA support group and studying

Hello,
I currently receive ESA support group (which apparently is conts based as its support group), PIP and separate UC top up on the ESA, where I did not have to have another medical for the UC. I am unsure why they ESA and UC are separate, but UC look at what ESA pay me and then they top it up due to the disability element.
I was originally awarded for 18 months, had a reassessment done just after 12 months and was awarded again for 12 months. I am due to have medicals again for PIP and ESA in the next few months I think.
I would like information about studying part time distance learning and claiming the above. Am I able to study part time at home without benefits being affected as its home study? Would any tuition fee loans or maintenance or support loans count? The study would be less than 16 hours per week on an access course worth 30 credits.
When I have spoken to the advisers on the phone previously about trying to work part time they said I would have to close the claim, but I know this is not true as several forums mentioning working part time whilst on ESA support group. So I would also like to know about working part time and support group.
Do I need to request a call back from an ESA decision maker rather than speaking to the normal advisers on the ESA line or is what they are saying true?
I currently receive ESA support group (which apparently is conts based as its support group), PIP and separate UC top up on the ESA, where I did not have to have another medical for the UC. I am unsure why they ESA and UC are separate, but UC look at what ESA pay me and then they top it up due to the disability element.
I was originally awarded for 18 months, had a reassessment done just after 12 months and was awarded again for 12 months. I am due to have medicals again for PIP and ESA in the next few months I think.
I would like information about studying part time distance learning and claiming the above. Am I able to study part time at home without benefits being affected as its home study? Would any tuition fee loans or maintenance or support loans count? The study would be less than 16 hours per week on an access course worth 30 credits.
When I have spoken to the advisers on the phone previously about trying to work part time they said I would have to close the claim, but I know this is not true as several forums mentioning working part time whilst on ESA support group. So I would also like to know about working part time and support group.
Do I need to request a call back from an ESA decision maker rather than speaking to the normal advisers on the ESA line or is what they are saying true?
Replies
Yes it is confusing which applies as I'm on both of them. I got UC without attending a new medical as I had just had medical on ESA (new style I think) and was put in support group I'm also not expected to look for work under UC. Not sure why it was all done separately instead of just under a UC medical.
I was anticipating the future asking about working part time on the benefits, but do you know if I study part time would I then be put in to LCW group under UC and expected to start preparing to go to work? The same for ESA, would I move from support group to LCW? I'm not sure if you're able to get UC when studying part time unless you're also available to work.
Thanks for the helpline number I might give it a call next week.