Studying as a part-time student

I would like to study on a counselling course at a local college as a part-time student (4 hours per week for 34 weeks) as a potential way of trying to move forward. It may not work out as I suffer tremendously from OCD, ADHD and severe Dyspraxia.

I have a joint claim with my wife who is the primary claimant. We have ESA income related and both are in the support group. My wife also has PIP.

My question is this. Firstly, is it possible for me to study and for nothing to change? Secondly, is it wise to let the DWP know and, if I did, would this affect a change? Will it prompt the DWP to move us to Universal Credit. Will I have to fill in a change of circumstances form?

Because of the Coronavirus everything seems to be on hold and I don't know how this will affect my above questions in light of this and what the steps or options are or i should take in light of this.

The course is due to start in a couple of weeks so this is quite a big decision.

Any help/advice is gratefully welcomed.

Many thanks,

David

Thank you for your reply that's really helpful.

With regards to our ESA status. Am probably needing to check our paperwork? All I know is that because my wife was ill first she was the primary claimant and when I became ill the DWP put us both together and classed us as income based version.

Because we both get reviewed at different times (because of the different timescale of when became unwell) - My wife's results were support group and mine was?

It may be that my wife is income based and I am contribution I don't know but all I remember is that when my wife was talking to the DWP they said it was best we were calculated together as income based?

Yes, that must be the case, thanks