Starting uni September but on LCWRA

AUDHDGAL

Hi, I start uni in September and unfortunately my assessment period for my LCWRA rolls over into the day I receive my student finance. 

I was very much banking on getting that final payment as the assessment period is 27th Aug-26th Sept. My student finance is paid in 26th and just about covers my rent only leaves me with £200, which only covers a month of my outgoings (car insurance, car tax, phone contract etc). I qualify for a £2,000 bursary but this is paid in instalments, £500 being paid in the beginning of December…
I get an £800 accommodation discount (£400 in Jan and £400 in April) so this helps! Also slightly bigger loan in April.

I am acutely aware I could work whilst at university, but I am still suffering with my mental health and grieving the loss of my beloved mum in September 2021. Moving to a new place, on top of starting a new degree with my emotional needs, I feel working would send me over the edge. I do plan to build up to casual working eventually (probably more likely next spring when I’m more settled) alongside my degree and of course in 2025 getting into full time work. 

It’s just come with such terrible timing and adds another layer of stress onto an already distressing period, when I’m just trying to gradually get back into the world. 

I don’t know if anyone has anything practical they might offer me! But I would appreciate it.

calcotti

The date your student finance is paid doesn't matter. Your student finance will be converted into a monthly amount based on when your course starts and ends. You will need to provide details to UC.

AUDHDGAL

@calcotti I am planning to in the next week, as I knew that would be my last payment and did not expect any further. It’s just a tad disheartening that it will make me miss out on that final payment. 

I will possibly qualify for the cost of living payment, as I anticipate the second instalment of this will be based on assessment period July-August, to be paid by 31st October (as speculated). This is based on the July payment going on the April-May assessment period. So after doing some reading this has at least taken some pressure off, as would cover another month of my bills and give me £124 for food at least. 

Tori_Scope

I can see that calcotti has been giving you some advice on your benefit situation @AUDHDGAL, which I hope has been helpful  

Starting university can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. It sounds as though you have some additional challenges to deal with, too. Are you receiving enough support to help you manage your mental health? Have you planned to get support in place from your university for when you start? 

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your mum. If you need someone to chat to, Cruse are a charity I've heard good things about. Grieving while at university can be an isolating experience at times. At the university I went to, there was a Bereaved Students Network society, so I'd encourage you to see if there's one of those at your university.

Someone from my university also made a podcast, where they interview young people who experience grief. It's called Life After, so you might like to give it a listen

AUDHDGAL

@Tori_Scope
Thank you for your response,

I am currently receiving bereavement counselling, which I believe will be coming to an end soon.

I have tried to set up as much as possible in terms of support, I have a support plan drafted I just need an assessment with the DSA. In terms of mental health and bereavement support, that’s on hold until I start and can be referred to the universities services. 

I will definitely look out for any relevant societies to connect with others. I’ve also heard about let’s talk about loss, although haven’t felt confident enough to go to a meet up. 

Thank you for the podcast recommendation, they and reading non fiction have given me escapism through my grief! 

Tori_Scope

That all sounds good @AUDHDGAL I hope that the services at the university are helpful! 

Does your university have a disability service? 

It can be hard to take the first step in attending groups like these, but they're usually inclusive, friendly, and helpful. 

Many universities will have more general mental health related societies, too, so it's worth keeping an eye out for those as well. 

No problem! Yes, podcasts and reading can be great tools for healthy escapism. Do you have any podcast or book recommendations?

poppy123456

AUDHDGAL said:

I will possibly qualify for the cost of living payment, as I anticipate the second instalment of this will be based on assessment period July-August, to be paid by 31st October (as speculated). 

The criteria for the 2nd cost of living payment haven’t been confirmed yet. The only information that has been given will be it will be paid sometime in the Autumn. 

Are you currently receiving a disability benefit such as PIP or DLA? 

poppy123456

I note from another thread that you don't currently have a PIP award but you've recently applied. Without a PIP award you will not be entitled to UC.

This means that even without the student loan payment your UC will end once you become a student anyway. This means that if you start Uni before the last day of your AP then you will not be entitled to the payment for AP between 27th August and 26th September. What matters for UC is your circumstances on the last day of your AP. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-students

calcotti

poppy123456 said:

I note from another thread that you don't currently have a PIP award but you've recently applied. Without a PIP award you will not be entitled to UC. 

Good spot - I missed that. OP, if the UC stops you should apply for new style ESA. You will not be paid anything and you should be able to preserve your LCWRA status. If PIP is then awarded, backdated to when you first applied, you should then be able to be able to claim UC again (if there is any entitlement after the loan is taken into account).

AUDHDGAL

@Tori_Scope I believe it has a disability service yes! 

You’re exactly right and I hope to try and attend the local let’s talk about loss group near my uni. 

I’ll keep my eyes peeled during freshers and sign up to as many taster events as possible with societies. 

Books I would say ‘I May Be Wrong’ by Bjorn Lindeblad, ‘The Gift’ Edith Eger ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ Viktor Frankl. One is written by a forest monk and the other two are/were holocaust survivors and psychologists. I’d say more on a self help theme! 

I do feel like the world would be a much better place if everyone took the time to read books like this, the perspective shift is incredible. 

Any other books I’ve read are related to the medical profession/cancer. But that’s more of a specialist interest 🙈

Podcasts, I mainly listen to Happy Place and Should I Delete That. Again along with some sciency ones.

If you have any enlightening non fiction books, do feel free to share! 

AUDHDGAL

@poppy123456
On the cost of living payment, I have seen it speculated as being paid by 31st October, of course not confirmed by the DWP as of yet! 

I had a small hope I might qualify, but yes that makes sense with the official start date at uni! So thank you for the help!

AUDHDGAL

@calcotti Yes that makes sense! Thank you for your help. I know there’s a long wait for PIP but I can live in hope, whenever the assessment comes along.