Housing Benefits For University Students: What Entitlements Are There?

Whether university students are entitled to housing benefits depends on several factors, including their enrollment status, age, income, and living situation. Full-time students are generally not eligible for housing benefits, but there are exceptions, such as those receiving specific benefits or grants, those with children or foster children, and those under a certain age threshold. Part-time students may have more opportunities to claim housing benefits, especially if they meet specific criteria regarding income, age, or living situation. Additionally, students who are already receiving housing benefits before starting their studies may be able to continue receiving them.

Part-time students can usually claim housing benefit

Whether a student can get housing benefits depends on whether they are studying full-time or part-time. While most full-time students are not entitled to housing benefits, part-time students can usually claim them.

If you are a part-time student, you can usually claim housing benefits. However, if you are not already receiving housing benefits, you will need to claim Universal Credit instead. If you are already receiving housing benefits, you might be able to continue to get them if you start studying part-time. However, if you are under 66 and receive student grants or loans, this will usually reduce the amount of housing benefit you can get.

If you are a part-time student and want to claim housing benefits, you should speak to your job centre work coach about your course when you apply. You will need to meet your claimant commitment conditions, such as looking for jobs.

Exceptions for full-time students

Although most full-time students are not entitled to housing benefits, there are some exceptions. Full-time students can claim housing benefits if they:

• Are receiving Income Support, Job Seeker's Allowance (Income Based), or Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related).
• Are under 21 in further education (not higher education), as long as they enrolled before the age of 19.
• Are under 20 and someone is getting Child Benefit for them.
• Are a student couple where both students are responsible for a child.
• Are a lone parent who is responsible for a child.
• Are responsible for foster children.
• Can qualify for the disability premium/severe disability premium.
• Are incapable of work (as decided by the Department for Work and Pensions) and have been for at least 28 weeks.
• Are receiving a Disabled Student Grant, which includes an allowance for deafness.
• Are unable to get a grant or student loan following an absence from their studies (with consent) due to illness or providing care to another person.

Full-time students with children can claim housing benefit

• If you are a full-time student and a parent or foster parent with a dependent child under the age of 16 or a child between 16 and 19 in full-time non-advanced education, you may be eligible for Universal Credit (UC). To receive UC, you must meet your claimant commitment conditions, such as looking for jobs, and your income will be considered during the assessment.
• If you are a lone parent or a student couple where both partners are full-time students and responsible for a child, you may be eligible for housing benefits. In this case, you can make a claim for housing benefits.
• If you are under 20 years old and someone is still receiving Child Benefit for you, you may be eligible for housing benefits.
• If you are receiving Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you may be able to claim housing benefits.
• If you are a full-time student with children and receive a state pension, you may be eligible for housing benefits.
• If you need to leave your course temporarily due to illness or caring responsibilities, you may be able to claim housing benefits.
• If you live in supported accommodation and receive Universal Credit, you may be eligible for housing benefits.

It is important to note that the rules regarding student benefits are complex, and it is always recommended to seek advice from organisations like Shelter Cymru, Citizens Advice, or your student union. Additionally, remember to continue paying your rent while waiting for your housing benefit claim to be processed, as it can take a significant amount of time.

Full-time students who are lone foster carers can claim housing benefit

Generally, full-time students are not entitled to housing benefits. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and some students can claim housing benefits or universal credit to help with their rent. Full-time students who are lone foster carers can claim housing benefit, but only if they meet certain conditions.

Firstly, lone foster carers must have a child formally placed with them by a local authority or voluntary agency. Additionally, they must be receiving Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. This is because any help with housing costs will be paid through Universal Credit, so eligibility for these benefits is crucial.

Lone foster carers who are full-time students can also claim housing benefit if they receive specific disability benefits, such as Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, or Attendance Allowance. They may also be eligible if they are registered blind or have been unable to work due to sickness or disability for at least 28 weeks.

Furthermore, full-time students who are lone foster carers can continue to receive housing benefit if they are under 21 and enrolled in a non-advanced course. In some cases, the age limit can be extended to 22 years old. Additionally, students over 66 who do not receive Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance may still be eligible for housing benefit.

It is important to note that receiving student support, such as grants or loans, may reduce the amount of housing benefit a full-time student who is a lone foster carer can get. However, if they also receive the previously mentioned benefits, they will automatically receive their maximum entitlement to housing benefit.

Full-time students under 21, not in higher education, can claim housing benefit

Generally, full-time students are not entitled to claim Housing Benefit. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and some full-time students may be eligible for housing support.

One such exception is for full-time students under 21 who are enrolled in further education (not higher education) and were accepted before the age of 19. In this case, they may be eligible for Housing Benefit. It is important to note that this exception only applies to those under 21, and the age limit cannot be extended.

To be eligible for Housing Benefit, students must also meet certain other criteria. This includes receiving Income Support, Job Seeker's Allowance, or Employment and Support Allowance. Additionally, students who are lone parents or part of a student couple with children, as well as those who are foster carers, may be eligible. Students with disabilities may also qualify for Housing Benefit, as well as those who are unable to work due to sickness or disability.

It is worth noting that students who are already receiving Housing Benefit may be able to continue receiving it while studying, provided they meet certain conditions. However, for most full-time students, new claims for Housing Benefit are not possible, and any help with housing costs will be paid through Universal Credit, which has its own eligibility criteria.

Therefore, while full-time students under 21 in further education may be eligible for Housing Benefit, this is dependent on meeting specific criteria, and there are limited circumstances in which new claims can be made.

Full-time students who are over pension age can claim housing benefit

In the UK, most full-time students are not entitled to Housing Benefit. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and some full-time students can claim this benefit. One notable exception is that full-time students who are over pension age can claim Housing Benefit. This applies if you are single and have reached the qualifying age for State Pension Credit, or if you are part of a couple and you have both reached this qualifying age.

If you are a full-time student over pension age and wish to claim Housing Benefit, you will need to meet certain criteria. Firstly, you must ensure that you are, in fact, over the qualifying age for State Pension Credit. This age is not a set number and can vary depending on your individual circumstances. You can check your State Pension age online to confirm if you meet this criterion.

Secondly, you will need to provide evidence of your enrolment as a full-time student. This can be done by obtaining an official letter from your university's student services team, which confirms your student status. It is important to note that you must be studying at least 16 hours per week to be classified as a full-time student.

Additionally, you may also be required to provide proof of any income you receive as a student, such as grants or loans. This information will be used to assess your eligibility for Housing Benefit and calculate the amount you may receive. It is recommended to have these documents readily available when applying for benefits.

It is worth noting that if you are a full-time student over pension age and you already receive Housing Benefit, your benefit entitlement will not be affected if you continue to meet the eligibility criteria. However, if your circumstances change and your Housing Benefit is stopped, you may not be able to restart your claim unless you are still eligible under the updated circumstances.

In conclusion, while most full-time students are not entitled to Housing Benefit, there are exceptions for those who have reached pension age. By understanding the criteria and providing the necessary documentation, full-time students over pension age can successfully claim and receive Housing Benefit to support their living expenses.

Frequently asked questions