College study and LCWRA

[Confusedandvulnerable]

Not sure if this is the correct place for this but I’m in receipt of PIP and UC LCWRA for mental health issues.

Sitting at home all day is not helping me at all I feel, and I wanted to look at what I can do to improve this as I find a routine to be very helpful in managing these difficulties.

I’m also starting to find isolation difficult, and feel I may like to try something just to see how I am able to cope. Genuinely cannot see life improving for me if I carry on the way I am.

I had a look at a local college and what is offered as initially I trained in art years ago, but this subject has really got me nowhere I feel, and the arts is such a competitive industry.

I know you are allowed to study part time on UC. Issue is, the course I am interested in is full time, I am unable to find any part time courses that offer what I want.

Only issue is, if one is in receipt of PIP and LCWRA because they find face to face contact with others difficult then this would likely be contradicting the reasons for LCWRA.

I equally can’t afford to lose the money, but then what am I supposed to do if I cannot try and improve my life because it would go against me?

I find it appalling really that people are threatened with having the money removed if they wish to try and improve their life. I feel as though once on benefits you can’t get off them due to this.

Would I be unreasonable to just apply for a course full time, study for it and not tell them? I equally don’t want to get into trouble for doing this as I equally need the money. It’s so difficult.

If starting a course means potentially losing the money then sadly I’ll just have to forget it and remain on benefits it seems.

Can anyone give me some advice? TIA

@XenoBitch I don’t see why they would though if it’s not engaging with others face to face. Also LCWRA dosen’t mean no work capability. I thought a small business may have been ‘safe work’ Baffles me a bit that.

Also running a small business isn’t quite the same as a normal, high pressure job. Yes, there will be tasks but presuming these would be far less pressurised than the standard workplace, ie boss constantly breathing down your neck timing you.

You say that OP but actually running a small business yourself some people could easily argue is more stress & pressure than lots of jobs you can just turn up to/log on for, do your shift and then switch off from it completely at the end of your shift.

@XenoBitch As one of my LCWRA reasons was poor executive function, meaning I can’t do tasks too quickly, with a small business this would mean I can go as steadily as I need to? I do struggle to see how that would contradict that.

How do you think they could make the system fairer for everyone OP?
Someone further back said there may be a run on of benefits.
Another poster has said you can do a full time course if you are receiving LCWRA and another benefit such as PIP?
What changes would you like to see?
You never know, what you want to see may already be available?

The problem is more if you loose the LWCRA it is almost impossible to get it back as it is so hard to get in the first place.

I am going on what my work coach told me. TBH, that seems to vary between them anyway.

it sounds to me like you over egged your PIP application

How dare you make such a massive presumption about OP's health based on fuck all?!? OP hasn't even said what her health condition is! Reported

Nonsense! Just stop

I'm amazed (and slightly annoyed with the assessment process, not individuals) that some people get LCWRA and work/study. I was turned down for it even though I was so mentally unwell that I barely left the house. Apparently the fact I could plan a journey that I'd never undertake, and went to church occasionally because I was picked up by a friend, meant I wasn't ill enough.

@Confusedandvulnerable I don't know if you're allowed to study on LCWRA. I guess they might move you into the LCW group which doesn't have any money attached. But I'm probably totally wrong.

I’m a bit surprised that you are saying paraplegic people can’t work - that would imply that a paraplegic person would automatically qualify for LCWRA.

I’m paraplegic and I’ve worked all my life apart from one short period when I had to sign on due to redundancy. At no time did anyone at the job centre or the DWP in general say I might be eligible for any work related other than contribution based JSA.

Just have a chat to them and tell them you really want to study or work but are afraid of failing. They might let you do a work trial and if it doesn't work go back on the benefits.

that would imply that a paraplegic person would automatically qualify for LCWRA.

Many paraplegics would automatically qualify for LCWRA under Activities 1, 2, and in some cases 9.

www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-students#studying-full-time

Worth a read.
Good luck.