Postgraduate loan advice

Hi, I’m considering starting a postgraduate course in September but I’m not sure how it will affect my benefits. I receive income based ESA with the severe disability premium , PIP, child tax credits, housing benefit, council tax benefit and DLA for my daughter. I’m not sure if studying part time or full time would make any difference.

This is a possible gateway into getting back into work and providing for my daughter and myself.

I’ve always had bad luck with the benefit system so I’m worried about this step forward, last year for example I had to survive on just PIP as a fraudster tried to claim universal credit in my name. It took over six months to get back what they owed me. They’ve continually made mistakes and I’ve suffered because of it.

I’m just worried that everything will go wrong again when all I want to do is get away from benefits.

How does postgraduate loans and benefits work?

You could try the Students Union or disabledstudents.co.uk/. I found the Disabled Students Unit at my daughter's Uni really helpful.

CPAG have a new Guide to this which is about to be published. Look on their website.
Disability Rights UK also have a student helpline. It’s a bit of a quagmire, so get your facts straight first. Also look into DSA. You should be able to continue on ESA if you are getting PIP.