Further Education whilst claiming ESA

I have had a look at the ESA resources but am still unsure if i am allowed to attend College part-time whilst claiming ESA.

As long as i am attending less than 16 hours a week, that should be ok shouldn't it?

I would of course write to my benefit delivery centre, i don't want to break any rules here.

I am sure i am not alone in my frustration at lack of employment prospects, surely further education can only be seen as a positive step?

Kind regards
Ranald

Yes, you can study whilst claiming ESA. However, do bear in mind that when you are reassessed, the nature of the studying that you are doing may be taken into account. For example, if you're doing practicals that involve work in the community or business, you might have difficulty persuading a decision maker that you had problems with social interaction.

Hi Ranald, I go to college two hours a week and I was questioned quite heavily on it at my ESA tribunal...

however, the answers I gave very much reflected my mental health problems and so it was not a problem.

Best wishes,
Rachel

Hi Rachel

I wish I was questioned heavily about my studying at the tribunal that I attended some time ago.

The judge realised that I was studying and drew his conclusions without any further questions, and that was that. It sounds like you had a Judge that did a proper job.

Derek

Hi Derek, I do seem to have been a lot luckier than some people with the tribunal panel I had.

It was the doctor who asked all but one of the questions in the 25 mins. He was pretty scary. The judge was smiley and just wrote reems while the questioning went on.

I have no idea why it went the way it did, I was very, very nervous and was not expecting to win!

I hope you have a better time of it at your next one Derek. Any idea when it is yet?

Best wishes,
Rachel

Hi Rachel

I lost my UT appeal, but I suppose I was always going to face an uphill task, as I was clueless about benefits from the time I filled in the form, to the initial process of the appeal. I only really started to learn about benefits and appeals during the appeal process.

No doubt I will go through the process again at some stage in the future.

Best wishes

Derek