Uni student with a child and can’t claim universal credit, why?!

[Shaft284]

Hi I am just in the process of claiming universal credit and It looks like I can’t claim anything which I am really confused about. They say my loan has a yearly income is around £692 per month, I have a child but don’t pay rent as I live at home. They work it out as Follows:- £251.77 allowance plus £277.08 child equals £528.85 then they take off £692.30 as income so leaves £-163.45, so I cant claim !!!
Is I was on child tax credit anyone with an income of less than £16k a year get £277 per month, how can this be????
Thanks

I'd go and see your student welfare team at university - most universities provide support and the students union may even have a parents group who can give advice.

Another option is workinv part-time as you're exempt from tax which is a benefit!

I have to pay my parents board which I fully get, they are helping me out as much as possible. I also took out a loan a couple of years back to get a car, (plus insurance), which I do need as my uni is a 60 mile return trip. Even if I sold the car it will cost me more on the train. I also have to contribute to his childcare cost as only get 85%. Etc etc

@shaft my Uni pay the other 15% of childcare fees, double check with yours.

Unfortunately, the reality is that if you need more money, you'll just have to manage a part-time/casual job. If you find a job relevant to your course, you'll often find that your employers are happy to accommodate time off for placements. But even so, you won't be on placement for your entire course, so you should be able to manage work during the time you're not on placement. The majority of students - placements or not - hold down a job and go to uni.

Does your ex contribute?

The problem with nursing courses is that you are either in uni nearly everyday or on placement for 9 weeks at a time. If I worked weekend as well I would never see my 2 year old son

You should be getting maintenance from your ex.
Red if she's doing nursing or similar it's too intensive to get part time work really. Placement is usually full time hours as is uni then there's all the assignments to write.

@literary it’s easy to say she should be getting maintenance, however it’s not always so simple. My ExH has exploited every CMS loophole that exists, and now, after 27 months, when they threatened criminal proceedings, he quit his job and went on the dole because they can’t prosecute him if he’s not working Meanwhile I’m studying and working whilst he does fuck all...

Shaft
I think if you spoke to your uni they may well be able to help you out with money towards your childcare and any benefits information
I used to work at a college and we had access to funds for various things and these, although not always publicised are available to help people tho.

Full credit to you tho for training in a really worthwhile career to support you and your son - when he's older and you tell him how tough things were and that you did this for him he'll be so proud of you and you want to be proud of yourself x

www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Student-income-Universal-Credit

@bananas123 thank you so much, I am focusing on mine and my sons future