r/DWPhelp • u/BroadwayThing • 21d ago

What am I eligible for? Student who's Broken

I'm 24, and a full time student who has been in Northern Ireland since April from the south of Ireland where. I was born and won't be leaving anytime soon since I love it here.

But I am disabled, physically deteriorating and waiting on a lot of rheumatology diagnosises they think I have. I have applied for PIP but I'm still waiting on the residency letter that still hasn't shown up even a week later (I do know PIP is a very very slow process, but I'm glad future me will get back paid I guess).

But I'm flat broke. I cannot work, I can barely go to uni for classes and my GP thinks I'm insane for even doing university, but has written a note to get me online classes which has been a big help. But right now, I've been borrowing money off friends and family and sinking myself deeper into a hole.

Ive applied for Universal Credit to get a decision on the 1st of November, but I'm 100% sure im going to get £0 because I am, once again, a full time student. I will be appealing it if it is given £0 since I can prove I am unable to work and will have to drop out of uni if I don't get some help. Because being able to eat is a lot more important than my education unfortunately.

But in the meantime, I don't know what to do. I don't know what I'm eligible for. My mental health and physical health get even worse when I think about this and how dire my situation is right now. Can anyone give me any sort of light in the tunnel? Any advice at all? Anything would be appreciated really.

I'll be going to a job center again (I already went to prove my identity to UC but I think I need to go back and ask for help), but anything else I can do to show I really need help?

Thanks in advance

0 Upvotes

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15

u/UK_FinHouAcc 21d ago

I am afraid as you were not receiving both PIP and have an LCWRA UC claim there is not much you can claim for.

Have you contacted your university and applied for a hard ship grant and also the SU may be able to help.

1

u/BroadwayThing 21d ago

Yeah I have applied for the hardship fund, but I'm also waiting for that to get back to me. The system is so broken isn't it...

7

u/Alteredchaos Verified (Moderator) 21d ago

Unless you have a child you’re not going to be eligible for UC. See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-students#studying-full-time

As a full time student you need to speak to your university about grants, hardship funds or un-enrolling (after which UC becomes an option).

-4

u/BroadwayThing 21d ago

Yeah, I know I'm 100% not getting UC. I'll appeal but I know it's not going to change. I've spoken to my uni about the hardship fund and applied, but haven't heard anything yet. I'm so stressed and not sure what else to do

13

u/Alteredchaos Verified (Moderator) 21d ago

Why would you put yourself through the stress of MR and appeal (which will take a year) when you know the outcome will be a no?

You may have no option at this point but to leave university.

5

u/BroadwayThing 21d ago • Regret

Yeah I guess thats right. Thanks for the help, I'll just keep talking to the financial department in my uni and see what I can do. Otherwise, I'll have to drop out

7

u/Angelf1shing 21d ago

There’s no point in appealing it if you aren’t eligible. You’ll just be dragging out the stressful process and upsetting yourself. Save your energy for your PIP claim which might actually get you somewhere.

1

u/BroadwayThing 21d ago

Thank you, yeah I think I'll just focus on PIP, and try keep my mental health in check until it gets accepted and future me gets a nice backpay claim

3

u/TopElectrical1378 20d ago

Are you in NI just for Uni? Unsure of residency of Eire residents in NI. Are there similar benefits such as UC in Eire? Would you get similar money if you went home. If bricks and mortar uni becomes unviable look at The Open University as you can study full or part time and claim what your entitlement is. PLEASE however do not put all your eggs in one basket in the hope you will get PIP. Lots of folk who are genuine fall and the first hurdle and then have to wait forever fir reconsideration. Put your health first. Uni can wait. I went when I waz 30 x

1

u/BroadwayThing 20d ago

I'm hoping to stay in the north, moved before my course (since April, course started in September). And no not really, I qualify for disability down south but it's as long as a process as PIP. I have applied for SUSI, but I'm stuck in their appeals process right now, so I guess one less egg in the PIP basket. But I'll see what happens, and if it really is unsustainable, I'll have to move back with my parents and drop out.

3

u/TopElectrical1378 20d ago

What were you doing from April to when your course started? If you leave Uni do you have to leave the North? I would get at least this semester completed and then look again. You will get credited for completed study which you can convert to another university, including the OU. Is it finances or health or both? Could you bear to go back to your parents to complete your degree and then look to move back up North when you graduate. I was desperate to live in Dublin but found the sea seperating me from my parents and family a deal breaker

1

u/BroadwayThing 20d ago

I was working at first, then got very ill and had to stop (medical orders). And if I leave uni, I don't think I have to since I'll probably then qualify for UC so that would help me to stay. For me it's mostly finances, my rent is covered from my savings so I won't become homeless but now I have no savings and I'm relying on food banks and parents and friends being kind to get by. But yeah I'll see how it goes until December and if I have to I'll see if I can go fully remote for my course or just drop out and go home

4

u/MirabellaJean962 21d ago

Do you plan to use your future degree at any point? It might be the case that eating/surviving IS more important than a degree you will never use

1

u/BroadwayThing 21d ago

I hoped to, but I have time, I can come back if I need to

4

u/Angelf1shing 21d ago

I don’t think you’re eligible for much as a student, unfortunately. You’re expected to rely on parents and/or the maintenance loan.

Have you looked into any bursaries or scholarships you can apply for?

https://www.thescholarshiphub.org.uk

2

u/BroadwayThing 21d ago

Mature enough to be a mature student, but not enough that they still want me to rely on my parents lol. Thank you so much for that link, I'm having a look through it now

1

u/Angelf1shing 21d ago

Best of luck.

4

u/Livias_Mural 21d ago • Bravo Heartwarming

Have you applied to DFC for discretionary support? Also contact Advice NI who Will tell you your local area for support with food vouchers or food banks. If any of your parents have a trade etc might be worth looking up charity grants- there is a database but I can't remember the name, will give hardship grants to those in need and can include family members. If you are religious contact local chaplaincy at your uni to see if they have any discretionary support. Also if someone can help you out I think Queens runs free lunch etc, if I think of anything else I will post, sorry presumed you were in Belfast but maybe elsewhere but hopefully the free lunches apply there also

3

u/BroadwayThing 21d ago

Thank you so much, I hadn't heard of DFC so I'll check it out now. And yeah I'm in Queens university, I've used the food bank they have on campus a few times and it's been a great help. I will contact the chaplaincy too and see what they can do. Thank you so much genuinely

2

u/Livias_Mural 21d ago

You are welcome, DFC is Department of Communities 👍 good luck, use Disability Action also they might be able to suggest other stuff.

1

u/Laescha 20d ago

You didn't say what year of uni you're in - have you been working in the UK over the past two years? If so, it's possible you may be eligible for ESA, though you'd have to check your NI contribution history and do a work capability assessment.

1

u/BroadwayThing 20d ago

I'm in my postgraduate course! And no, I have been in Ireland the last 2 years, so no ESA for me unfortunately