Good afternoon
I am looking at doing a part time degree along side my caring role on the open university. In order to help fund this I’ll need to apply for a part time tution loan that is paid to the ou Not me, will this affect my universal credit and carers allowance? I have 4 children 2 are complex needs but selfishly I want to do something for me, however all I seem to do is getting stone walled. Universal credit coach said if I can look at a part time education I can look at working… I’ve looked it’s not possible due to childcare costs that would be involved. Can anyone help
Hi Rachel,
Your UC coach doesn’t sound very helpful!
I don’t have any answers but the helpline should be able to advise;
You can email us at > adviceline@carersuk.org > and we will respond to your enquiries within 10 working days, although it can often be sooner.
Our telephone helpline providing information is open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm - 0808 808 7777
Melly1
Why do you have a UC coach at all?
I understood that if you are claiming Carers Allowance they should only do a review every year or even less!
I did a part time degree in Business Studies as a mature student, when my brain damaged son was about ten years old. I knew that one day, I would not be able to care for him any longer, and felt I wanted something for myself.
As I finished my degree, my husband was made redundant, we set up our own business, and what I learned gave me the confidence I needed.
Why do you have a UC coach at all?
I understood that if you are claiming Carers Allowance they should only do a review every year or even less!
I did a part time degree in Business Studies as a mature student, when my brain damaged son was about ten years old. I knew that one day, I would not be able to care for him any longer, and felt I wanted something for myself.
As I finished my degree, my husband was made redundant, we set up our own business, and what I learned gave me the confidence I needed.
I have a uc coach as was transferred to universal credit from child tax so I get universal credit along side carers allowance. I feel so flat and deflated about his response
When I wanted to do my degree, when I was about 40, I too found funding difficult. Our local MP was doing a call in advice line of Radio Solent, so I raised my problem with him. He said that at 40 the best thing I could do was forget about the degree and get a job, because by the time I’d finish I’d be too old for a decent job anyway. On air!!! I persevered and got my degree, we started a very good business and had two wonderful holidays in Australia before my husband died suddenly of a heart attack in 2006. That left me running the business by myself. I had 30 tons of vintage lorry spares to sell off, I was told if I auctioned them in one lot they’d probably fetch £1,000, but first I’d had to get them all to Reading, so in his eyes, they were worthless. So I sold them off bit by bit and lived comfortably off them until I retired! Don’t take any notice of your job coach, you can do it, it will be hard, but it will take your mind off things at home. You will meet great fellow students too.