To be annoyed at UC for not warning me of this

[Justdontforgethelegofrog]

I'm a single parent to two. I've enrolled in a full time university course which is placement based so I have to work 37.5 hours (at least) and study in my own time. I receive a bursary of £1,400 per month which I know is ok but that is all the money I receive for mortgage, bills, petrol, food and leisure money.
Before I started I asked UC what this would mean as I was previously working full time in a low paid job with no prospects and earning £1,500. In addition to my wage, I was paid about £400 and had money towards my childcare paid. I also didn't pay any petrol as I worked locally. They said it would be treated the same as income as it wasn't a student loan. I stupidly didn't get anything in writing it was just during my appointment in the job centre.
There was no way of putting my figures in as a student as the online calculators don't allow student income. So two months have passed and I haven't received any UC. When I message my coach they said that it is calculated differently to wages (as other income) just like a student loan. Even though the man in the UC office said it wouldn't be as it was full time employment based (like an apprenticeship really).
I'm so angry (at myself too) that I've managed to sign up, quit my job and I quite literally won't be able to survive. My petrol is £200 a month more (20 mile commute) and I'm £400 down per month. Plus no help with childcare, plus extra wrap around due to the length of the commute.
I know it's short term but I actually can't live off this money.
I'm so annoyed that no one told me that my UC would stop!

I don’t understand. I’m total how much do you have to live on if they calculate it the same as full time employment. How much do you have a each month

It shouldn't stop completely if it has they haven't calculated it correctly go to the Facebook groups they will help you out

@Leobynature because student income is different apparently

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/full-time-students-and-benefits/how-much-universal-credit-will-i-get#:~:text=Universal%20Credit%20will%20be%20calculated,for%20maintenance%20and%20student%20grants.

Here are the calculations

I’m almost sure that you apply to the university for your childcare costs and there are possibly further grants you can apply to the uni for for those on low income. Universal credit survival group on fb will be able to tell you what you would be entitled to but I don’t think you normally end up much worse off

Are you not eligible for the childcare grant as a full-time student ?

https://www.gov.uk/childcare-grant

Ahh yes, we've all been there. UC screw students over and no two advisors will tell you the same thing when you ask for help. If you have a student loan, then I think your bursary is disregarded but if there's no student finance available then they will treat it like a student loan. Join the students on UC Facebook page, they'll be able to help. FWIW, I lost a place on a very prestigious Masters course 2 years ago because UC couldn't tell me what they'd deduct, I panicked and deferred until January while I did more research but they pulled the course before i got there. I'm now doing a MSc over 3 years, which is bonkers, but it minimises deductions because I really don't see why I should pay for it out of my UC while I'm studying and then repay my full loan afterwards. I'm effectively paying twice 🙄 good luck and pop over to FB x

When I was a single mum I also went to university but I was awarded UC; there is such a faff about this all. But you should be entitled. Actually, when I was at uni, I was better off than working!! I got parent allowance, 85% of my childcare paid for and the loans etc.

I was recently a full time student and got my student loan topped up with UC so I’d try and get them to recalculate. It was always pretty shit though as uc is expecting you to use the loan to support your family without any consideration of the cost of doing your degree like books/travel etc.

Not sure how you had 85% of your childcare paid for- that should only be paid if you’re working

I did it through a masters instead of apprenticeship and it's hell. UC counted my bursary as income though it most of it goes on my fees.

The one saving grace is getting the 85% childcare paid by the bursary.

Full-time student here. My course also has placements. Are you a healthcare student? You can apply for the NHS Bursary and you get more money for having children.

Also many universities have a hardship fund - do ask. Universities want you to succeed x

@Usernamqwerty yes I think I'm going to have to apply for the hardship fund.

Also yes healthcare student. Most other people working nights and then going to placement in the day but I just can't do that and still function!

It is treated as unearned income which is deducted in full apart from £110 a month.

Makes sense logically as it's a choice to study rather than work but for a long term view it's a pretty rubbish idea of theirs!

Sorry its so shit right now OP

They disregard £110 a month from maintenance loan for books and travel.

@smallshinybutton that's what I tried to say to them, if I do this course then I probably won't need to be paid UC ever again after next year but if I stayed in my old role they probably would need to pay me forever. It makes financial sense for them to support us to retrain!

They told me to write to my MP

@Babyroobs I've spent £110 on books and travel just this week. Plus travel to London to attend lectures (I'm in the West Country).

It's all so short sighted. There's no incentive for people to try and get off benefits

You doing physician associate MSc? If so loads work evening and weekends to fund the course

@Daydreamer123456 nope; it was paid via university. Nothing to do with UC.

@sleepyscientist no nothing as high brow as that I'm afraid

I'm a loan parent and just finished a year long masters. I did not get 85% for childcare. Uc told me i would, and paid it for 2 months and then demanded that back as they made an error and I should never have been paid it. Actually, they are right. I wasn't looking for work so I shouldn't have been paid it. I also didn't take the full loan because as pp said you will almost pay it back double since it will be deducted from your money.... There is a good chance it will be deducted even if you don't take it.... So far they haven't but I'm anticipating a bill from them in the future for the student loan i didn't take! It is a horrible situation for loan parents on UC especially if you don't have any other support.