ESA and Further Education

I notice a question on Permitted Work whilst claiming ESA.

I intend to start a full-time college course on Social Science in September, the classroom time is fifteen hours. Do i need to declare this to the DWP?

Will this college course have an impact on any further WCA? I was given two years plus on my first and only WCA.

Many thanks
Ranald

Hi Ranald

I think starting full-time studying would be a change in circumstances that you would need to inform the DWP about if you are claiming ESA, even if the classroom time is 15 hours.

For claimants who have physical disabilities full-time college may or may not impact on their WCA depending on their disability and how it conflicts, or is perceived to conflict with attending and carrying out the course.

For mental health problems, and speaking from personal experience, in the past studying at home on my computer was a death sentence to my IB claim. With the much harsher WCA assessment it's hard to see how studying could not be used against a claimant under assessment.

Unless a course in Social Science doesn't require carrying out two sequential actions, learning simple tasks, coping with social situations, etc.

I don't know if the DWP would actually bring forward a review date based on a change in circumstances. I certainly hope they wouldn't. But you need to be aware that if you are reassessed while studying at college the evidence that the HCP would consider would be very different to the evidence considered when you passed the WCA.

Good luck

Derek

I am very glad that i checked up after your advice Derek. The DWP have told me that any full-time course would mean i was well enough too work, regardless of the fact i would only do 15 hours in a classroom per week.

I tried to ask questions today when i saw a member of staff in my local JSP but he kept talking over me. In the end i raised my voice and the guy over-reacted and got the security guards over.

There has never been any question of my being unable to work, it was my understanding that i was on ESA because i had a limited capacity to work. It is not possible for me to work in a shop or clean windows etc but i could, if given the chance and some training, sit at a desk somewhere.

The JSP staff were very rude and couldn't make eye contact, i was given no chance to explain my position. It seems it is preferable if i sit and home and rot. I wasn't depressed, and i didn't have a drink problem 2 years ago when i was dismissed from my job but i am half way there thanks to all this inactivity.

Thanks for the update Ranald.

So much for encouraging claimants to update their skills and enhance their employment prospects!

You do have the option of study with the Open University.

But you have to be aware that you can't do anything that would conflict with the answers in you PCA.

The job centre guy said i should sign off ESA and try an claim a college grant.

There is no way i am going to risk losing my ESA and HB and CTB, all for the "possibility" od obtaining a pitiful college grant!

The problem was the wording, "full-time", regardless of how many hours the course contained, it is a disincentive as far as i am concerned.

There seems to be some confusion as to what claiming ESA means. I have "limited capability to work" but they are judging i should be totally incapacitated and do nothing, or be on JSA or in work?

There is absolutely no chance i will be employed as things stand but they are discouraging me from re-training!

In September i will be 2 years unemployed and statistically unlikely to work again thereafter. It is a madness.