My 25 yo client has unipolar disorder which can hit him badly. He was working up util 5 months ago but had to stop because of his condition. He signed on rather than take what he saw as a negative step of claiming ESA.

Not been able to find work so approached JCP to ask about his entitlement if he started a particular course and was told JSA would continue as it was under 16 hours.

Started a FT (13 hrs pw) Access course and lo and behold his JSA, HB and CTB have all stopped.

I've been trying to contact the college to find out a bit more but it's half term so no-one is available.

Apart from trying to persuade him to claim DLA and ESA is there anything else ?

Talk about keeping the working classes out of eduction....

Hi,

As your client has started an access course CG/449/2009 may be helpful. Although the college may suggest 30 hours of study per week, does your client actually spend all the time studying?

13 hours pw classroom attendance. On the actual college website it says Access to Health/Full Time then goes on to say it's 3 days pw.

When I say access course it's to enable him to gain qualifications so he can access HE without formal A levels.

It's a level where it would be classed as relevant eduction if he was younger