I applied for ESA and PIP in July 2015 on mental health grounds after leaving University in June 2015. I was placed in the ESA support group, and get PIP standard daily living, and an Oxford council pension (< this is the Pension my dead father nominated me to have).
My ESA is £314 per month.
MY PIP is £230 per month
My Oxford Pension is £201 per month.
In total, I get £745 per month.
I live with my parents (mum and step-dad, so don't claim income support, housing benefit, or universal credit.
My University have agreed for me to return to my course in September 2016 - BUT obviously my circumstances have changed since leaving last year.
I'll have to tell the DWP that I'm returning to study - as I'll then be eligible for the £61 per week severe disability premium as I'll be living alone. (I currently get the enhanced rate due to living with my parents).
On the one hand, this will increase my ESA by £61 per week, BUT on the other hand, it may be affected due to the student loan I will also receive. I won't be getting the maximum loan amount as both of my parents work.
I am wondering if the DWP will reassess my ESA claim when I tell them I'll be living independently as a full time student. Obviously, this goes against their support group criteria.
I am also wondering if this will affect my PIP.
The worst case scenario is that the DWP could think I'm capable for work and suspend my ESA and PIP, leaving me with my Oxford Pension and Student loan to live off.
Slightly better: They allow me to keep my ESA , but put me into the WRAG after they call for a medical assessment after I tell them about returning to full time study.
BEST SCENARIO: My ESA and PIP are not affected, and I can start claiming Income support and housing benefit as well due to being a disabled student.
Am I overthinking this?
I really have no idea how I should approach the DWP on this.