To Delay Work to get A Bursary?

[BiscuitMunchkin]

NC for this.

I've worked all my life until last year when I was a pedestrian involved in car crash and had to have time off sick.

I was left with brain and nerve damage and broken bones.

Although I have made massive bounds in recovery, a year on I am still cognitively and mobility impaired. I also suffer from chronic fatigue now.

My Occupational Therapist has come up with a plan for a phased return to work, not doing my old job which is now not possible because of the brain damage, but simpler work in the same local authority team. One hour the first week, 2 hours the 2nd week kind of thing.

Now that I have run out of sick pay, I must claim benefits. Universal credit I think it is although I don't know how that works with a phased return.

DS is about to start college so needs new equipment, clothing and a travel pass. There is a bursary for those on UC. There is also a grant towards roof insulation for those on UC (DH and I have a mortgage).

My question really is, would I BU to delay my return to work for a month or so so I can claim the bursary towards DS's college expenses and insulation grant?
If I did that and then came off UC, would I have to repay it?

We were already struggling financially, only living on DH's wage and my sick pay so not sure how we'll manage on his wage and my UC.

YABU: get back to work and don't take advantage
YANBU: get what you can

UC is a means-tested benefit. As you live with your DH, they will look at your joint earnings. Only if under a certain amount will you qualify for UC.

If you do qualify, you can still return to work and claim UC. For each pound over your UC allowance a certain amount of your UC will be deducted. So as an example you earn £1, your UC claim is reduced by 54p etc…

So in terms of the bursary, first you need to see if you as a married couple qualify for UC. It might be a moot point if DH earns too much. If you do qualify, then you can go to work claiming UC and the bursary.

Edit: You’re also only allowed (between you) to have no more than £16k I believe in savings. Just mentioning this incase you got a huge payout from your accident. Sorry to hear that this happened to you - life isn’t fair sometimes.

Get what ypu can. You didn't ask for your situation. At all. Good luck with work.

Thanks for replying.
I was worried about having to pay back the college bursary/energy grant if I started back at work/being accused of deliberately defrauding the system, so that is a weight off my mind.

DH earns about £30k

I've just seen a thing about free school meals for children (secondary school and college). Will this also continue if I apply whilst on UC but come off it soon?

@BiscuitMunchkin you will only get the bursary/free dinner while you are claiming universal credit. As soon as you start working they will stop the bursary/free dinner

That’s not necessarily true. You can still claim whilst working and UC will do the necessary calculations for topping up your wages. If they top your wages up monthly then you’re entitled to everything else that is available for UC claimants.

Put in your UC claim and go from there. If accepted then you can claim bursary and free school meals. Whenever there is a circumstance change - work - just update online. They will also communicate with HMRC regarding your working hours and adapt their payout accordingly.

@BiscuitMunchkin ChatGPT can help you answer all the many questions you may have regarding UC. Also as you have cognitive and mobility issues you could be entitled to PIP too.

OK, thanks.
I'll apply for UC ASAP. It's the thing about Esa that i can't understand.

And yes, I should be getting some compensation from the Motoring Insurance group (driver not insured!) but it is taking its time to resolve. I've already had to borrow £1000's though to survive from when I went down to half pay and for extra physiotherapy (NHS physio ended months ago), hydrotherapy (not offered by NHS but I heard v good things about it), wheelchair etc.

I've also had to switch to a more expensive mortgage as I couldn't shop around for deals so had to stay with my current lender since my bank statements showed a reduction in income and I got quite a few marks on my credit score when I was in hospital and too drugged up on pain meds to even think about paying bills!

From what you have all said, I'll lose my UC/criminal comp money which as it should take ne over the £16k savings limit. Maybe there is an exception. I'll investigate. If not, life will suck even more than it already does.

Thanks for all your help x