Does anybody work for universal credit?

[littlesm]

We currently get
Standard allowance for a couple 596.58
Housing 550.02 (rent 695)
Children 519.58
Disabled Children 531.30
Carer 163.73

=2361.21

Im going to be studying teacher training this year. How will this affect our UC?
and I will be entitled to a maintenance loan. Will it make a difference if I take it or not? Just trying to work out what’s best for us. Thanks

Put your details into Entitledto.co.uk

I think you need to take the loan as universal credit will dock you for it anyway. Pop over to universal credit essentials, the admin will be able to work out deductions for you

Sorry, posted too soon.

The rules for student finance & UC are on gov.uk www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-students#student-income-and-your-universal-credit

I'd suggest Citizens Advice Help to Claim service - you don't appear to be subject to the benefit cap, and I'd be wary g
taking advice from the internet in your circumstances (and I work for Citizens Advice!)

Yes a Student Loan is taken into account whether you take it or not.

@minitwister

Put your details into Entitledto.co.uk

They don't calculate for students

To get the disabled child element, the OP must have a child who gets DLA middle or higher rate care, @Minitwister. Families with a child who gets that level of DLA are exempt from the benefit cap.

I would have a slight concern that if you are the one getting the carer's allowance, they might take the view that you're not likely to be providing 35 hours care a week and want to stop the CA. This happened to a colleague's client, who was studying p/t and working 15 hours pw.

Benefits for students is quite a specialist area. Unis and colleges generally have a student finance bod who knows it inside out, and the policy where I work is to refer student clients to them.

You would have to take any maintenance loan that you are eligible for. If you don't take it they will treat you as if you have anyway. maintenance loans reduce Uc pound for pound. They divide the yearly amount between the number of months it is designed to cover and disregard the first £110 per month then the rest reduces Uc pound for pound. Some grants/ childcare grants etc are disregarded. UC isn't great for students.

Also bear in mind standard couples element will be dropping by £83 a month in september as the covid uplift ends.

@LakieLady cares allowance and carers element are different benefits. You can claim cares element even if you are working or studying full time.

Really good site for this:

www.uceplus.co.uk/students

CAB have an excellent helpline dedicated to UC queries. Highly recommended.