Hi, my name is jk210! Colllege Access Course UC

jk210
jk210 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
edited January 18 in Education and skills

Hey I am trying to find out information regarding universal credit and full time college for adult. I wish to do an access to higher education at college in September which is classed as full time with 2 days a week at college and 15-20 hours independent study at home learning. I am single, live on my own with no children and I am renting a flat in social housing and receive help towards my rent from UC currently.
Can I still get help towards my rent when I go to college or will my claim close? I have tried looking online but I am getting confused with different information. Thanks!

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,467 Championing

    Are you claiming a disability benefit such as PIP/ADP or DLA?

    Have you been through the work capability assessment for UC and been found to have either LCW or LCWRA?

  • jk210
    jk210 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener

    I am LCW on UC and No PIP.

  • Ranald
    Ranald Online Community Member Posts: 642 Championing

    When I tried to do a college course in 2011, I was informed at my local Job Centre that if I did a full time course, I would need to sign off ESA, and claim a student grant. This was in Scotland, so maybe this information is irrelevant to you?

  • jk210
    jk210 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener

    Hey I have tried to see if there would be something like this available to me, but as far as I’m aware I would only be able to apply for an advanced learner loan which funds the course tuition itself and there’s no funds for living costs/rent available to me from loans/college. I know that they will help with travel but that’s probably it. I know that when I progress to university i would be eligible for a maintenance loan which would help with my living and rent costs.

    I really want to do the access course for 12 months at college as it will give me the starting entry to then progesss to university. However I cannot find anywhere if I would get help with UC towards my rent and living costs and from what I’ve seen those who do, I do not match the criteria needed. However as I already have an open UC claim and in the LCW group currently with no pip would this make a difference when i start the college course? Would they close my claim as soon as I start the course and update them? If so how would they expect me to pay my rent at short notice I would be in arrears which I don’t want.
    Thanks for your advice!

  • jk210
    jk210 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener

    hey I’m on UC and have LCW no PIP. Would I still be eligible to claim UC and have my rent living costs paid when starting college full time?

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,467 Championing

    If you're a single person as a full time student you must be claiming PIP for your UC to continue. Please see link.

    https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/eligibility

    Students with disabilities or health conditions

    You can claim Universal Credit if you’re in full-time education, and have been assessed as having limited capability for work by a Work Capability Assessment before starting your course. You must also be entitled to any of the following:

    • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
    • Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
    • Child Disability Payment (CDP) in Scotland
    • Attendance Allowance
    • Armed Forces Independence Payment
    • Adult Disability Payment (ADP) in Scotland
    • Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) in Scotland
  • Ziida24_Birmingham
    Ziida24_Birmingham Online Community Member Posts: 22 Connected

    Hi Poppy 123456

    I need guidance to have my son join college. He is 23 years old, with LD and cerebral palsy. His major niche is IT stuff. Unfortunately,the social worker is not keen to support him. What can i do to have him enrolled? He gets PIP and UC

  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 8,814 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi there @Ziida24_Birmingham I'm afraid Poppy isn't around much at the moment, so she may not see this.

    Have you spoken to any local collages about this? They'll often have specialists who you can talk to regarding your son enrolling. 😊