Full time student and housing benefit !?

Question

hello,

im receiving housing benefit at the moment,recently i have applied for a full time access course in social work , i knew from friends that i should take it as a part time otherwise i might lose the benefit .

my question is .

if i keep going for the full time, i will not tell the council, is there a way that the council knew iam a full time student ????

i really want to have the access course , and there are very few part time and very away from home.

tell me your a advice please shall i tell the council..or not ?

how they will know if i don't inform them ?

regards

Answer 1

I think it might depend on the actual hours of your course, which you need to check.  Part-time is defined as under 12 hours a week, and full-time is very often under 16 hours.  Under 16 hours means that people can still do the course and claim JSA, so the same rule should apply to housing benefit, you probably though also need to find out how your council defines a full-time student to check this.  The access courses at our local college are under 16 hours a week although they are called full-time.

Answer 2

im a full time student and i am receiving housing benefit and income support.

it doesnt matter wether the council know or not about you being in full ed.

i have another 3 years of college and am goin to receive the benifits untill i get a fulltime job.

its not going to cause any problem if you tell them.

Answer 3

Tell them.

If you don't and you get caught, the punishment will be a lot worse that not receiving your housing benefit.

You could even be sent to prison.

Get a part time job to do alongside your studies.

If I can manage to keep a house going, pay bills, buy food, buy clothes, etc,  and do a full time course without receiving any financial help - anyone can!

Good luck.

Answer 4

I did an access course a couple of years ago and it did not affect benefit.  Look at the number of teaching hours - ie, the hours in a classroom in front of a lecturer, not studying at home or in the library.  Lunch breaks and other breaks are also not included.  If after that, you are on less than 16 hours, you will be OK.  Mine worked out at 15 hours over 4 days so hopefully you will be just under the limit.  If you can stay on benefit, make sure you apply for the travel allowance and book allowance - it all helps!