Benefits
- Can students on full-time courses claim Benefits?
- Is Income Support available to students on full-time non-advanced courses?
- Am I entitled to claim Housing Benefit if I am a full-time student?
- Do I need to pay Council Tax whilst I am a full-time student?
- Am I eligible for tax credits?
Can students on full-time courses claim Benefits?
Usually full-time students cannot claim benefit while at College, although there are a few exceptions.
If you intend to undertake a full-time non-advanced (eg NC/SVQ )course you may be eligible to continue to claim certain benefits. However, you should contact a Jobcentre Adviser, before you apply for a course, to check your eligibility.
If you intend to undertake a full-time advanced (HNC/HND)course, it is likely you will not be eligible to continue to claim benefits and you should contact a Jobcentre Adviser for advice as soon as possible.
If you are on benefits, you should be aware that there may be a delay of several weeks before your benefit position is reviewed by the benefit provider. It is likely that benefits received after the start of the course will have to be repaid, (e.g. Housing Benefit), unless you are one of the exceptions.
Is Income Support available to students on full-time non-advanced courses?
The current regulations allow you to attend College as a full-time, non-advanced student, and still retain, or apply to claim, Income Support, Housing and other benefits if you fall into the following categories:
• Are a single parent not required to register for Job Seekers Allowance
• Are a single person under 21 years old who is estranged from your parents
If you are in receipt of Incapacity Benefit/Employment Support Allowance you should contact Jobcentre Plus for advice.
For students on non-advanced courses, if you are entitled to continue to receive Income Support (or any other income replacement benefit) and Housing Benefit the College will expect you to continue to claim, rather than receive a maintenance bursary. HOWEVER, YOU SHOULD STILL SUBMIT A BURSARY APPLICATION AS YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO OTHER SUPPORT, FOR EXAMPLE TRAVEL, MATERIALS ALLOWANCE AND TO COVER THE COURSE FEE.
Am I entitled to claim Housing Benefit if I am a full-time student?
The following applies to students on both advanced and non-advanced courses.
Most full-time students are not entitled to claim Housing Benefit. However you may be able to claim if you are:
• Entitled to Income Support
• A single parent
• A couple, one or both students, with dependent children
• Under 21 years old on a non-advanced course
• A disabled student
For further information contact your local Housing Benefit Office.
Do I need to pay Council Tax whilst I am a full-time student?
You may not have to pay Council Tax during your College course if you are a full-time student on a course lasting at least 24 weeks and:
• You are under 18 years of age, or
• You live in a house, flat or bedsit on your own, or
• All the occupants in your accommodation are students
• The College forwards a list to the local Council Tax Office of all students enrolled on full-time courses at the beginning of each session. If you share a property with others who are not full-time students, payment of Council Tax will apply.
Am I eligible for tax credits?
Students and their families may be entitled to more money through tax credits. Students with children will be entitled to claim Child Tax Credit which will be paid to those who are responsible for at least one child, whether or not they are in paid work. Students who work more than 16 hours a week could also be eligible for Working Tax Credit. Extra help is also available if you are disabled or are caring for disabled children. To find out about your eligibility, you can call the helpline on 0345 300 3900 or go to www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits.