Can you be on benefits and do an evening course? Quite urgent and long.

[pearleyes]

In Sept I enrolled on a vocational course as things were not looking good at work and I thought I might need to add another string to my bow career wise.

I've since been made redundant so started the process to get contribution based job seekers allowance and/or my NI contributions paid.

I'm worried as the form asks if you are doing a college course and if so that you have to fill in another form (ES567S).

I have been attending the course since September 08 while in full-time employment. The hours are 6-9pm two evenings a week. My normal work hours are between 8-6pm and therefore I would be able to work if I continue doing this course.

Will I be made to stop this course in order to get contribution based job seekers allowance/National Insurance contributions paid?

I'm so stressed by this....

Thanks

certain courses at our local college are free or greatly reduced for those on benefits. maybe thats why you need another form?

You're not getting paid to do this course so no, I can't see how it would affect any benefits. In fact, I think the govt would be very pleased that you are doing it!

I wouldn't think you will be made to stop it because you are still available for work up for 16 hours or more during the day.

Pearleyes - I work for JCP - the form you have been asked to fill in is a stabdard form given to anyone who declares they are undertaking part tme study. Whether or not you will remain entitled to benefits depends on a number of factors.

Who is funding the course - if LSC (or Welsh/Scottish) equivalent you can study for up to 16 guided leaqning hours a week (eg in the classroom). However, you must remain availabe for and actively seek work as well as be willing togive up te course if a job comes up or you are equired to go on a mandatory JCP programme eg New Deal.

If the course is provuded by anyone but the LSC your entitlement depends on whether the education establishment describe it in their prospectuys as full or part time - if full time it is unlikely ytou would be entitled to benefits.

Fill in the form - it's easy and straight forward - it's not designed to trick people - it just asks the questions qe need to know in orgwr to decide if yo9u can have benefit or should get help from elsewhere whilst studying - if there are any dounts about your entitlement the case will be referred to a specialist decision makerf who will decide and give you a formal decision yo0u can appeal against.

If that happens and you want any help/advice I'll try and help. if you have problems in the JObcentre - tell them to look in the Labour Market Conditions Guide for further info.

You can get more info on benefit in general in the JSA leaflet - page 18/19 www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/stellent/groups/jcp/documents/websitecontent/dev_015482.pdf

sorry for the typos!!!!

Yes I'm sure you can - you could claim a fee discount too.

A discount/fee waiver would not be available - the course has already been paid for. If one was offered the it needs to be declaread as this may affect benefits.

Also it may depend if the course is classed at Further Education or Adult Education. You might claim a discounted fee for many courses under the latter, assuming you qualify for a means tested benefit for example, but many accreddited courses would be FE where different funding and rules apply. Not sure whether this would be possible retrospectively though , if you have paid in advance.

Hi

Thanks for your posts. I've now signed the form and given in a letter from the course provider that says that the course is part-time and runs two evenings a week from 6-9 pm. However, I still cannot find out if this is going to be ok. Very worried about the whole thing.

Is there any info online that would help?

Thanks

P