IB/ ESA and studying please help!

I just wrote a massive long piece and then lost it arghhh computers!

Hello All

Anyway the shortened version is

- I am on IB exempt of personal capability test etc
- Not yet being migrated to ESA but know this will come
- high rate mobility and care DSA
- have home carers from direct payments

- Just finished MA (took 4 years rather than 1 and did it from home)
- Now offered a scholarship to do a PhD but not yet confirmed

- Worried the effects on my benefits

- Scholarship is for tuition fees (direct to uni) and a stipend (for costs of studying). It is NOT subject to income tax or National Insurance as it is NOT considered income, rather more like a 'gift'.

- I have serious illness - including a 6 hour infusion every week in a hospital for the rest of my life, and affects how I feel for the next 1-2 days post infusion, a severe immune deficiency meaning I cannot mix with people, a rare form of MS, lupus and APS.

I am worried a stipend from the scholarhips will affect the ESA/IB and I feel I cannot risk this. This is because the stipend does not pay into NI and therefore when I get ill (which I'm bound to again) then I will have no rights to claim ESA or IB. Surely I couldn't be put into this situation?

I am 34 years old and my illnesses have been devastating, I am hoping that I can do this PhD as it really helps my confidence etc.

Any light anyone can shed on this will be gratefully received as I feel confused and stressed!!

Ruby x

Hi Gordon

And thank you for the welcome and reply

I am on contribution based IB and would likely be the same for ESA too as my husband works more than the hours limit etc. I am aware that if put into ESA WRAG then I could lose my ESA - this thought is very worrying, as it is for many others, but I think there's not a lot I can personally do about this as yet.

I am glad you do not think my scholarship should affect my CB IB as I wondered the same thing. The university have made it absolutely clear to me it's NOT INCOME for tax or NI purposes and so shouldn't be treated as such (however the DWP and all the media and press about them at the moment makes me very nervous!!)

Thanks again

Ruby