Any benefits experts on here? I need advice about becoming a student/training

[slavetothenhs]

At the moment me and DH work full time. We don't get any benefits although we aren't high earners, probably £1 over the cut off point for benefits.

I work in the NHS as a band 2, there is a training opportunity to become a band 5 which involves a uni course for two years. The deal is, they pay your tuition fees and you get a salary of £10,000 a year. This is doable, but it does reduce my salary by about half and things would be a huge struggle. I want to do the course as the band 5 pay and progression opportunities are great. Would we be entitled to claim anything or where could I get "proper" advice about it?

data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2019-0465/Students_Eligibility_conditionality_and_student_income_v14.0.pdf

This is the guidance for students who claim Universal Credit

I would also use the calculator on the entitled to website as it can give a pretty decent estimate

"where could I get "proper" advice about it?"

Citizens Advice

We can't say what you'd be entitled to (if anything) without more info. Husband's salary, savings, any children, whether you rent and if so how much you pay, etc.

From what you've said you don't need to worry about the student aspect, the £10k salary would be taken into consideration as income but that's all. Do a calculation on Entitled To, and put your salary as 10k and all your other details as they will be, to see what if anything you'll get.

How much does your dh earn how many dc do you have?
If he earns 20k plus then doubtful unless high rent /several dc.

Rock chick- it will make a difference, if they don’t have children they could most likely not be eligible. It all depends if they meet the education eligibility factors. With a £10k salary and not declaring education the OP will need to attend periodic appointments to raise hours/pay. She will also have to provide evidence she is not/cannot receive maintenance loans etc

If you're classed as a full time student (regardless of your income) you can also claim a 25% discount on your council tax. (Assuming your husband is the only other adult living with you.)

With a £10k salary and not declaring education the OP will need to attend periodic appointments to raise hours/pay.
You have no way of knowing that, UC conditionality is based on household income not individual.

If you already qualify for tax credits for your children, notify them that your income is dropping this isn't considered to be a change of circumstances. Otherwise use entitled to.co.uk & check to see if you can claim universal credit.

I wouldn’t don’t know for certain until the 1st AP but individual conditionality can differ- one partner can be working enough and the other light touch in work so would have appointments etc