Postgraduate Full-time study & Universal Credit

[Somebodyimportant1]

Hello all,

Are matured single Postgrad student with children eligible for universal credit? Please

I ask because I was studying at university in 2019/20, I did inform my work coach about stating a full-time education, gave him the student loan approval letters. He said he uploaded it all and that I should wait to hear from the decision-maker (that was on Nov. 29, 2019). I replied saying thanks & said to let me know if anything else is needed. I never heard anything at all so, I assumed my pay is the right amount & nothing needs changing. until weeks ago when I noticed the money paid to me was reduced with deduction and I was told I was living with a partner when I told them I was single (not the case- my partner moved out) & that I was earning money,

I also got a message on my UC account to send full details of my course & letters of student loans & grants etc. Which I will do.

Now, I am worried they would slash my money further. I did inform them & sent them all my student loan details when I started my Masters & it's on record on my account.

🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

No idea sorry @Somebodyimportant1 but hopefully someone will be along soon.

@BunnyRuddington I hope so too. Thanks

You shouldn't have told them, sometimes it's smarter to play the game than to do the morally right thing. I'm saying that presuming that your postgrad course will qualify you for a reasonably well paid job?

UC want you to apply for and accept any job, even if it's NMW and will mean you are still reliant on UC.

In my view, it's better to be on UC for a year or two while studying and then get a well paid job and never need to claim benefits again than it is to quit your course, take a NMW job and stay on UC for years because you don't earn enough to support yourself.

My friend had a similar experience - full time student claiming uc whilst doing a degree .

She was over paid for 2 years despite her giving them the correct info. She appealed and they wiped the overpayment .

They count student loans as income for universal credit calculations but because these are paid at random times throughout the year they can't use normal rules to calculate your monthly amount.
As long as you hve been honest and you have records of the info you have given them in your journal and they have still over paid you then appeal it

Uc count student loans as income for undergraduate students but post graduate students are treated differently. the best place to advise you is your student welfare department.

Thanks. But aint matured single-parent students entitled to UC normally?

@Somebodyimportant1

Thanks. But aint matured single-parent students entitled to UC normally?

It really depends on how much rent they pay, how many kids etc and how much student maintenance loan they get. Maintenance loan is divided usually between ten months, the first £110 a month is disregarded then the rest reduces UC pound for pound. For those lucky enough to still be on tax credit, student loan is not counted at all. It's hugely unfair to have such differences between Uc and legacy benefits.

@Gettingthereslowly2020

You shouldn't have told them, sometimes it's smarter to play the game than to do the morally right thing. I'm saying that presuming that your postgrad course will qualify you for a reasonably well paid job?

UC want you to apply for and accept any job, even if it's NMW and will mean you are still reliant on UC.

In my view, it's better to be on UC for a year or two while studying and then get a well paid job and never need to claim benefits again than it is to quit your course, take a NMW job and stay on UC for years because you don't earn enough to support yourself.

Not tell them ? You mean like commiting benefit fraud ? Do you think they wouldn't find out that op was getting funding ? Full time students have no work commitments on UC.

@sickofturkey I wonder what your friend wrote in the letter which got the overpayment wiped off.

I was informed that I now have an overpayment of over £1,900 even though I informed them and sent them all the necessary paperwork and was told on my UC account that all the document was uploaded unto the system.

Now they would want to cut my UC pay further and when I am already struggling and up to my eyeballs in debt.

I am drafting a reply to but lost for words because it's all overwhelming for me to know this is happening despite doing the right thing.

Anyone got any ideas of what to write in it reply to them as they have told me to respond to the overpayment letter and I am now worried that if I do not reply, my next payment might be delayed in a few days 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

The system sucks HELP someone