How will my studying & student loan effect my ESA/PIP

[Coda]

I am in receipt of PIP and ESA,

I have been diagnosed with Depression, Psychosis and PTSD.

 

I live a very solitary life, with no friends or support from my family,

I have a care worker from Mind who visits me for two hour once a week,

aside from this I am completely withdrawn and live without any kind of contact with other people.

 

 

I decided this was not a healthy way to go through life,

after living this way for 4 years I decided perhaps further education could be a good option,

to get to meet people and engage more in reality.

 

In September this year I was offered a place on a part time post graduate degree at my local university,

I was also awarded a £10.000 loan from student finance to cover the course tuition fees and extra expenses incurred by my studying (transport, study materials etc.), the loan is to be paid in six instalments over the two years of the course.

 

I am now 3 weeks in to the course and I finding it very tough.

I only have two hours of lessons per week

 

 

the pressure is proving to much and it is now looking like I will leave the course next week,

the loan will be cancelled as soon as I complete the course withdrawal form,

however I have received the first payment. which was £1650.

 

I am worried that I may lose my entitlement to ESA and PIP if I do not declare the time that I have studied for

and also the amount of money I have borrowed and I am preparing a change of circumstances form to send to Jobcentre plus,

 

 

could anyone please give me some advice as to how best to approach this situation.;

 

Questions

 

If:

The total amount I have borrowed is £1650 (This must be paid back to student finance)

The total amount of time I have studied is 6 hours over three weeks.

I have a signed course withdrawal form, stating that I have left the course.

I can provide proof of attendance showing that the course was only two hours a week.

That I was only enrolled on the course for three weeks.

 

I would like to know. .

 

Was this amount of study time within the allowed boundaries set by ESA/ PIP

Is this loan classed as Income or Capital by ESA/PIP

Will I lose my entitlement to ESA and or PIP?

If not, will my benefits be reduced?

 

Many thanks

 

Coda.

[obiter dictum]

No panic, like you i am on ESA and the support group.

 

I study with the Open University. Course fees student finance pay the university direct. Those fees will not impact your ESA/Pip in any way. They already know as Student Finance is linked to the DWP anyway and is not classed as income.

 

I have never disclosed to the DWP my student loans as there is no need to as you do not physically receive any payment yourself.

 

When i was on JSA i was allowed up to 16 hours a week study but ESA no issues

[Coda]

Oh this sounds hopefull, only I arranged for the fees to be paid directly in to my bank account.

[obiter dictum]

Wait for more replies but i believe you only have to declare £6000 in your bank account as savings before it will impact any claim for benefit

[Coda]

I was hopeing this would be the case.

 

Cheers Obiter.