The Student Room Group

Maintenance Loan and Universal Credit

I am currently in receipt of child tax credits, being a single parent, working (low income) and attending UnI (2nd Year foundation degree). I hope to join the final year of the honors degree. I have received my letter to say that I need to move to Universal Credit but they take your maintenance loan into account. As a result, I will lose most of my Universal Credit. Someone advised it might be better just not to claim my maintenance loan as this has to be paid back. Someone else has said that even if I don't claim it, the fact that I am entitled to it, means it will be taken into account. Either way my income will drop by £600-700p/m. I am really stressed and don't know what to do. I'm even thinking of quitting Uni as a mature student aged 50 and single mum of 2 children. Trying hard to better myself but just seem to be being punished for it!
Original post by lfarr
I am currently in receipt of child tax credits, being a single parent, working (low income) and attending UnI (2nd Year foundation degree). I hope to join the final year of the honors degree. I have received my letter to say that I need to move to Universal Credit but they take your maintenance loan into account. As a result, I will lose most of my Universal Credit. Someone advised it might be better just not to claim my maintenance loan as this has to be paid back. Someone else has said that even if I don't claim it, the fact that I am entitled to it, means it will be taken into account. Either way my income will drop by £600-700p/m. I am really stressed and don't know what to do. I'm even thinking of quitting Uni as a mature student aged 50 and single mum of 2 children. Trying hard to better myself but just seem to be being punished for it!

Have you reached out to your uni as they often have bursaries for financial hardship?
(edited 11 months ago)
Original post by lfarr
I am currently in receipt of child tax credits, being a single parent, working (low income) and attending UnI (2nd Year foundation degree). I hope to join the final year of the honors degree. I have received my letter to say that I need to move to Universal Credit but they take your maintenance loan into account. As a result, I will lose most of my Universal Credit. Someone advised it might be better just not to claim my maintenance loan as this has to be paid back. Someone else has said that even if I don't claim it, the fact that I am entitled to it, means it will be taken into account. Either way my income will drop by £600-700p/m. I am really stressed and don't know what to do. I'm even thinking of quitting Uni as a mature student aged 50 and single mum of 2 children. Trying hard to better myself but just seem to be being punished for it!

This is absurd. Im a single mum as well and have just realised that in the month I get the maintenance my UC will go down which means it is almost the same as not getting it right? It will not help with saving ir to afford bills as it will have to be ised for rent just like UC woyls - it makes no sense. But if the maintenance was paid monthly than it would work. What have yoh donw? Im starting in October x
Yes.
The DWP would take it into consideration even if you haven't taken a maintenance loan. I didn't take a maintenance loan 1st year but I still got paid less. I'd highly suggest talking to you uni student advice. They should be able to calculate for you the exact amount you'll be receiving.

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