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Student claiming benefits

  • Nicole
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8 years 6 months ago #140032 by Nicole
Student claiming benefits was created by Nicole
Hi everyone!

I'm 18 years old, I live in Scotland and I'm due to start college on Tuesday. I'm claiming ESA and PIP and I also qualified for EMA from the college. The college know I'm in receipt of benefits and the DWP know I'm going to college whilst claiming benefits and also qualifying for EMA however when I phoned them over a week ago to remind them like they asked me to, the lady I spoke to seemed amazed that I was claiming benefits and getting paid by the college and she said that she would send an email to the benefits centre and I haven't heard anything back since.

Will I lose my benefits? I would rather give up my EMA than my ESA and I'm getting really worried.

Also I was told that I can apply for a free bus pass but I don't know how to apply or if I will qualify. I suffer from Emotional Instability Personality Disorder, social anxiety, depression and PTSD.

One last thing. I recently changed my name at the bank because I had my middle name removed by deed poll over a year ago. When I was making a claim for benefits, the lady that helped me make the claim told the DWP that I had my name removed and we sent the proof to them but they still include my middle name in most of the letters they send me. What should I do? Does anyone know what number I should phone to tell them? Also should I tell them I changed my name at the bank? Everything else has stayed the same.

Sorry for such a long post but I'm really concerned I've not done something the right way.

Thanks!

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8 years 6 months ago #140053 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Student claiming benefits
Nicole

Whether your ESA is effected will depend on the type of ESA that you are receiving, if you have worked in the two years before going to college then you may be receiving Contribution Based ESA and your income will not matter, but it is more likely that you have not worked and you will be receiving Income Related ESA.

If it is ESA(IR) then any income you receive will be deducted £ for £ from your ESA. Cancelling your EMA may not be an option as the DWP will assume that you are receiving it and may deduct the payments even if you are not actually receiving them.

Even if your ESA payments stop, your claim remains open and you should still receive payments when your EMA is not being paid.

Have a look at the following fact sheet for more information.

www.cpag.org.uk/content/esa-and-students

Your student union may also be able to provide assistance.

It shouldn't matter that you have changed your name as the DWP use your National Insurance Number as your primary reference, if you have informed them in writing and can show that you have done so then you have discharged your responsibility for notifying them of a change. If you still want to pursue the matter then you should write again, phoning will be of limited value as the people who answer the phones do not have authority to change your name on the DWP systems and will simply pass the query to those who do, who will need to see it in writing.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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  • Nicole
  • Topic Author
8 years 6 months ago #140150 by Nicole
Replied by Nicole on topic Student claiming benefits
Hi Gordon,

Thanks for replying. I'm in the support group of ESA but haven't received written confirmation yet but that's what I was told when I phoned them last.

I had a meeting at college today and was told that since I was struggling with the coursework on the first day because of my illness, they felt it would be best if I reapplied next year for a different course but I'm worried about phoning the DWP in case they think I'm messing them about.

What do you think I should do?

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8 years 6 months ago #140152 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Student claiming benefits

Nicole wrote: Hi Gordon,

Thanks for replying. I'm in the support group of ESA but haven't received written confirmation yet but that's what I was told when I phoned them last.

I had a meeting at college today and was told that since I was struggling with the coursework on the first day because of my illness, they felt it would be best if I reapplied next year for a different course but I'm worried about phoning the DWP in case they think I'm messing them about.

What do you think I should do?


I'm sorry to hear that it hasn't worked out for you.

I would contact the DWP, you would not have been able to know how well you would cope with college until you tried it so they will not think that you were "messing" them about.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Nicole

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