Post graduate study & PIP (etc.)

Hi all,

Thanks to B&W and my PIP for finally coming through, I can actually start looking to the future and plan ahead. I still cannot describe how grateful I am.

With that being said, after doing some reflecting and speaking to a lot of health professionals familiar with me, It honestly would be best if I were to find employment outside of the 9-5 relm or go back into study.

With my background in what I do, I can take up freelance work and work on my own schedule. My immediate family are also being supportive, so I may end up moving out of my flat / office job to try and build up an alternative career. The immediate health benefits for me would be astronomical, as 99% of all the anguish I've suffered in these last few years have been work-related.

Going back to university to do a Masters degree in my field is also a posibility. Of course, doing a masters is quite expensive, so I'm trying to get as much info as I can about what I could potentially claim with my PIP so I can work out if it is even possible. I'm aware of DSA and will be looking into that. Even if I were to do one, it'd take a good few years at least to even attempt to build up enough funds. I'm also aware that my PIP could be reconsidered, however I am quite confident that this wont happen as the course I want to do is very much desk-based and does not contradict anything I have declared on my PIP. The DWP is full of surprises, however...

So, I have a few questions about what exactly I can claim.

Quick background:
- Standard Daily Living for PIP.
- Over 25.
- Have not previously claimed working tax credits.
- Have not previously claimed ESA.
- Would most likely be living alone in shared accommodation. Ideally in a self-contained flat.

Am I correct in thinking that I can claim ESA whilst doing a post-graduate degree?

I have not been assessed for ESA as right now, I have found employment and thus do not need it. However, would it be possible to be assessed for ESA whilst working so if/when I do make the switch, I would not have to wait for the results of the assessment outcome? I'm cautious of this as I ended up waiting nearly a year for my PIP to come through.

Would any potential scholarships (I can dream haha) be counted as income?

What's the deal with working tax credits? I've read conflicting statements. If I worked for 16 hours per week (freelance or otherwise), would I qualify for them?

(might be slightly outside the scope of the forum) - For postgraduate study, would it be possible to claim UC or Housing Benefit?

Is there any other funding sources I should look into?

Thanks again for your continued help and support.

- INTD

Hi Both,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. That's really cleared things up for me. That being said, I am slightly confused at the official gov.uk's wording. (see here: www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and...e-studying-full-time)

The course I want to do would be full-time for 2 years, and I am aware under normal circumstances full-time students would not be able to apply. From that link, it states that if I am in receipt of PIP and have LCW, then I'd be able to be in receipt of Universal Credit. This isn't the first time the Gov website has left me astray however. It's almost like they're being purposefully misleading. That was the main reason why I made this post in the first place as I was pretty sure that wasn't right.

In terms of if my GP would be willing to give a note, I'm not sure. I am in the middle of moving GP as they seem to panic at the fact I am prescribed ADHD medication and constantly withhold it (it's a whole thing that's being dealt with). So the answer is a solid maybe. I am hoping given my very large medical documentation that this should be OK. I've read through the criteria + overlap with PIP and I can see that I would qualify.

Additionally, the University I'd want to go to would be in a different area than I am in now. I think I should probably pick this up with an adviser somewhere and explain my full circumstances with them. Would it be best to do so in the area I would be studying, or would speaking to a local citizen's advice suffice?

Thanks again for your help.

Gordon wrote: INTD

Here's the Catch-22 that the GovUK site does not expain.

To receive UC as a full-time student you need to be receiving PIP and to have Limited Capability for Work (LCW), you have the PIP but the LCW, to get the LCW you need to be receiving UC but you can't get the UC because you don't have the LCW,,,

Gordon

I... what?

That's a bit daft isn't it!

Thank you a tonne Gordon for clearing up my understanding of this. That should really be more obvious. Wow.

So basically, apart from DSA there isn't that much the government offers for disabled post graduates without going through loads of weird loopholes. Annoying, but expected unfortunately. I will still contact the uni I'm interested in to see if they have any assistance but I am still flabbergasted at this.

Thanks again Gordon.