Benefit and Welfare Support

 

 

Full-time students

 

Council Tax

Most full-time students do not have to pay Council Tax if everyone in the property is a full-time student.

If you live with one other person who is not a student, they might be able to get a discount on the Council Tax.

If you are a full-time student and are being charged Council Tax, you should get Council Tax exemption letter from eVision.

How Council Tax works: Discounts for full-time students - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

 

Child Benefits

You can claim if you are responsible for a child.

For more information see: What is Child Benefit? - Turn2us

 

Pension Credit

You can claim if you are a student over Pension Credit age with low income.

For more information see: Pension Credit - Turn2us

 

Universal Credit

If you are a student, you can only claim Universal Credit if:

• You are under 21, taking a course that leading to a qualification at the same level as or below A levels (such as Scottish Highers, National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) up to level 3) and you do not and cannot live with your parents; or
• You are responsible for a child; or
• You get Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment or Child Disability Payment and you have limited capability for work.

or

• You are over Pension Credit age; or
• You live with a partner who can claim Universal Credit; or
• You have taken time out from your course for illness or caring responsibilities, are now recovered/your caring responsibilities have ended, and you are waiting to go back to your course.

 

 

 

Part-time students

 

Carer’s Allowance

If you are a part-time student and your course involves you studying for less than 21 hours per week, you may be able to claim Carer's Allowance if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they are in receipt of a qualifying benefit.

For more information see: What is Carer's Allowance? - Turn2us

 

Child Benefits

You can claim if you are responsible for a child.

For more information see: What is Child Benefit? - Turn2us

 

Pension Credit  

You can claim if you are a student over Pension Credit age with low income.

For more information see: Pension Credit - Turn2us

 

Universal Credit

If you are a part-time student, you can only claim Universal Credit if your course does not stop you from doing your work related activities.

What your work-related activities are will depend on your circumstances.

If you are expected to look for work and be available for work, you will have to show that your course won’t stop you from doing this, and you might have to agree to give up your course if you get a job offer.

You might be able to argue that your course will help you to get a job or a better paid job, and so that it should mean you need to spend less hours looking for work. You will need to agree this with your work coach.

 

CAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS CLAIM UNIVERSAL CREDIT?

Unfortunately, international students are exempt from claiming any benefits in the UK including Universal Credit.

Non-UK citizens who are living in the country under a short-term visa such as the Study Visa are typically subjected to the 'no recourse to public funds' condition, which means they are unable to claim most welfare benefits.

However, if you have refugee status, this may not be the case. You may be eligible for UC if you have refugee status, humanitarian protection or discretionary leave with recourse to public funds.

Students from EEA, who have pre-settled/settled status might be eligible for benefits. For more information see here: Check if you can get benefits if you're from the EU - Citizens Advice

 

 

For more information see:

Full-time students benefits

Part-time students benefits