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Help re benefits please

24 replies

lillienjack · 28/06/2012 11:10

I posted this in the wrong section I think so will try here because need some advice on behalf of my daughter. She's 35, a single mum and has Lillie aged 5 at school. She's been childminding for a few years but has decided to go back into education for a new career start. Obviously while at college she couldn't work and we, naively I suppose, thought she would get some financial help, however because she hasn't the necessary recent NI contributions she is entitled to exactly zilch - is this right and how can it be? I don't want to open too big a can of worms but I'm sure we all know that there are newcomers to this country who obviously haven't paid anything in any shape or form yet manage to get some support - I don't want this to detract from my question but just need advice - has anyone been in this situation. Before she had Lillie, from leaving school, she was always employed.

OP posts:
Challen · 28/06/2012 11:59

Ignoring the bigoted immigrant comments ... because those that arrive here illegally are not given any free handouts from the state at all, so how do you think they feed themselves or house themselves?

And those that arrive legally, such as the Poles, come here to work, because they have a work ethic, and take on the kind of jobs British people turn their noses up at, and then they pay tax, so they are paying back into the system.

And those that arrive legally but can't work, still need a verifiable good reason to be awarded immigrant entry, and yes they will be housed and supported financially by the state, because that is the kind of society we are lucky to have been born into, a generous and empathic one.

So next time you mentally spit in the face of a nameless immigrant, wonder again if they haven't come here to escape from being forced into child labour, human traffiking, systematic rape, compulsory terrorist enlist, because these are the disgusting things that happen in the real world, far away, where you can't see them or feel them.

If your daughter wants to quit her job and go back into education and be supported by the state, she is entitled to a small amount of help to survive on, regardless of how much NI she has paid. Otherwise, I believe, fulltime education requires a loan.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 28/06/2012 12:04

There will be people at your daughter's college that help students with hardship grants, low-interest student loans and similar. Students have different entitlements & there are different rules to those who are not in full-time education. This link to the Direct Gov site has a lot of information and links that she can research.

Foreigners are an easy target. Don't blame them just because she's finding life's a little tough.

AgentProvocateur · 28/06/2012 12:26

I'd love to give up my job and go back to studying, but I can't afford it. Not sure who your DD was expecting to pick up the tab for her choice? Sorry, but you lost my support and any chance of me giving you practical helpful information as soon as I saw your unpleasant (and untrue) comment about immigrants.

I hope you read Challen's post and educate yourself a little.

RedHelenB · 28/06/2012 13:46

She should get child tax credits, child benefit and also be eligible to a lan & possibly a grant depending on her financial circumstances. The University finance dept should be able to assist with any queries.

mrsscoob · 28/06/2012 14:51

Stands up and gives Challen a round of applause

crikeybill · 28/06/2012 15:23

Wonderful post challen.

Op presumably as a single mum with no income she is already receiving help from the state. It's not exactly zilch then is it ?
We can't be helped with out financially with every choice in life.
Contact the CAB I'm sure they will advise how and what she can claim.
Fyi I too would love to retrain but can't afford it. Perhaps I should moan about the pesky single parents taking all the benefits.

Alameda · 28/06/2012 15:31

what the fuck! Immigrants have eaten your daughter's tax credits? I don't understand?

lisaro · 28/06/2012 15:34

If your daughter was self employed as a childminder she should have been paying full NI contributions. It seems to be her own fault if that's the case.

baabaapinksheep · 28/06/2012 15:38

Why can't she work while she is training?? I am a single parent to two under 4 and have just finished training as an accountant, while working to support myself.

She seems very entitled if she thinks that the state will fund her because she doesn't want to do her job anymore.

lisaro · 28/06/2012 16:57

Just re read your OP - why can she 'obviously not work' while at college? Most people do. I did, in a 'proper job' whilst having three children, a husband either away or working very long odd hours and absolutely no family nearby. I then went on to return to an old career and do very well. If people don't expect every fucker else to support and pay for them then they could do the same.

usualsuspect · 28/06/2012 17:01

What challen said, nothing else to add.

olimpia · 28/06/2012 18:23

OP you pissed everyone off, me included, with your ignorant comments on immigrants but I'll try to help you nevertheless.
As others have said she will get child tax credits and child benefit. Also housing benefit and council tax benefit. There are grants and students loans which will count towards means tested benefits but which she could potentially get. Her university or further education college is the best place to enquire about these rather than your local CAB like others have said.

lillienjack · 28/06/2012 20:24

Thanks for all the helpful comments I'm really grateful to those of you who answered me with genuine advice. As for all the rest of you well, you've all pissed me off too. None of you know anything about me and my family none of us have ever expected something for nothing and whatever you all care to say or think about immigration this country is a soft touch compared to the rest of the EU. You can all rant and rave back at me as much as you like but just to let you know I won't be reading it so I wouldn't bother.

OP posts:
crikeybill · 28/06/2012 20:42

Awwww what a lovely lady you are. Winder where your daughter got her rather entitled outlook from.

crikeybill · 28/06/2012 20:43

You didn't confirm whether your daughter is actually in receipt of benefits already either. Slightly irked she can't get any more ??

WhateverHappenedToWinceyWillis · 28/06/2012 20:47

Why can't she study with the OU? She may get financial, help and can work.

Victoria3012 · 28/06/2012 20:53

She can study with the Open University and work. I did a law degree, I'm a lone parent and worked full time. Why is it 'obvious' that she can't work and study?

olimpia · 28/06/2012 21:01

What a cowardly thing to say "you can say what you like, I won't be reading it"!
Anyway I agree with the OU suggestion. I did a law degree too with the OU while I had 2 young children so it's doable.

olimpia · 28/06/2012 21:03

And any sensible person in her situation would have checked to see how much she could have got from the State before giving up work rather than assume that it's all owed to her.

NormaStanleyFletcher · 28/06/2012 21:11

Wow.

I know people who have scrimped and saved in order to take time out from working to study. They very carefully worked out how they would afford it.

I am pretty sure they were not biggotted either.

Perhaps your dd could try that?

gutzgutz · 29/06/2012 15:35

Depending on the course she is doing (nursing is an obvious one that springs to mind) she may be entitled to a bursery i.e. a grant. She should speak to student support at her college/ university who should be able to assist.

If it's a degree, then a means tested loan will be available. Or, in extreme cases, hardship loans. Her first port of call should be speaking to her course provider who must deal with these queries regularly.

In addition, if she can get a part time job for 16 hours or more, then she might be entitled to working tax credits. I think directgov.co.uk can help here.

mondoshaz · 29/06/2012 15:53

I know completely different so perhaps i should start a new subject but i joined yesterday so sorry for ignorance. I´ve worked my whole life in the UK but moved to Spain 8 years ago where i have been paying into the system constantly. I am returning to the UK with my partner intending to work asap we have 2 children plus am pregnant again. We have enough money to rent for approx 6 months but does anyone know if we would be entitled to anything? ie housing benefit - i dont know where to start although both intend to work asap (me somehow perhaps parttime as dont want to sponge at all) its so mind boggling but im asking just incase work takes longer than that to find and our funds run out (so scarey but we desperately want to get home) - anyone got a nice house in Cheltenham or Gloucester they want to rent??

olimpia · 29/06/2012 17:20

You can get contribution based JSA if you've paid into the Spain system for years. However it wouldn't be a straightforward claim because the DWP would need to apply the Exportability rules and so you may need professional advice or your claim may take significantly longer to process. Please don't be fobbed off by the Jobcentre or DWP if they advise you otherwise. It's what I do for a living so I'm sure about it.
HB and CTB are means tested so depends if you savings. You may not be entitled immediately because of the habitual residence test (must show intention to set up home and live in the UK for a significant period of time). The rules are a bit complicated so I won't go into too much detail here. Basically you can get other benefits too, tax credits an child benefit for example, but not from day one in all likelihood. The best thing to do is to go to a CAB if they still exist by the time you get here. Goo luck Smile

mondoshaz · 17/07/2012 20:42

Thank you so much for your advice which I will use when I finally get home - thanks for your time kindest regards

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