Single parent, fulltime uni student and working p/t

[Ithinkiminlimbo]

Hi,

I may cross post, as im not sure if i am in the correct section to get the advice i need but i hope someone may have some words of wisdom that may help me.

I (37) am recently seperated and I have just finished a foundation year at uni and about to start my degree years in october.
I have signed up to UC with the help of the cab and now i have the joys of dealing with the folk at the job centre.
I had a call, and i got told i should be working 25 hours a week!? I have 3 children and was also told i should be willing to travel 90 minutes to work. I get it, lots of students have jobs to supplement their income, and i am more than happy to get a job on an evening or something but 25 hours!?
I have 3 dc and even tho one is about to start year 11 i dont want to make them a babysitter.

I also have a few MH issues and without going into too much detail, i was advised by cab to try for PiP, and as someone that was on dla before i was married, i know how much of a heartache it can be so i tried to not go down that route.
Fast forward a few weeks and i have had panic attacks, migraines and now a stomach ulcer from worrying about trying to get work that fits the criteria. I had a job at a care home and even though it went ok, i got home and had a panic attack, i am in no way equipped to deal with people so vunerable when i am myself.
I have applied for a council or social house and when i log on, it comes up as if i havent completed the form even though i have and have an admission reciept code but im hoping its because it hasnt been processed yet.
I am super stressed and i do not process stress very well at all and its exhausting.

I really am in such a brain fog right now, and would like to hear from people in a similar situation. Has anyone else had such a pushy experience with the job centre?

Thanks for reading

Sport that you're suffering and that you've had no replies.

This section seems to be mainly for parents of DC going to Uni. You might be better asking @MNHQ to move this over to the Chat Section.

Im sure if ur a full time uni student u dont have to look for work on UC as they class this as full time but i think if you are claiming maitenence loans etc they will reduce UC slightly i dont think to be honest if ur doing a degree full time and are single parent with 3 kids you wouldnt have time to work 25 hours as u will have lectures during week and a lot of extra work after lectures etc 😊

You had lots of replies on your identical thread earlier in the week.

Did you try any of the recommendations on there and how did you get on?

Also, you need to clarify if the foundation year you have already completed is directly linked to the degree and is one ongoing course or whether they are two separate courses. If they are two separate courses then for admin purposes you are not a full time student again until you reenrol properly in September which means UC and other benefits need you to look for work as there is little flexibility, once you enrol then you'll be counted as a FT student and won't need to look for work.

Ty @Singleandproud for the heads up. It's been a busy busy week! I have looked through all the replies and there is some amazing advice that I'm currently researching now.

My foundation is most certainly part of my degree. It's integrated and not available even as a stand alone course.

@Sezza1980 my thoughts exactly. I honestly have no idea how I would fit 25 hours or work in with studying and minding 3 children! A few hours, ok, but 25, I think I'd need a time machine or never need sleep!