Full-Time Students: Eligibility For Universal Credit Claims

Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help people on low incomes or out of work with living costs. Full-time students are usually excluded from claiming Universal Credit. However, there are some exceptions. Full-time students can claim Universal Credit if they are responsible for a child, live with a non-student partner who is eligible, or are disabled. Students can also claim Universal Credit if they are under 21, studying for a qualification at or below A-level, and do not have parental support.

Full-time students with children

If you are a full-time student with children, you may be able to claim Universal Credit. This applies if you are a single parent or part of a couple where one or both of you are students and are responsible for at least one child.

You can also claim Universal Credit if you are a full-time student with children and:

• You are under 21, taking a course that leads to a qualification at the same level as or below A levels (or equivalent), and you do not and cannot live with your parents.
• You receive Attendance Allowance, Pension Age Disability Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Adult Disability Payment, or Child Disability Payment, and you have limited capability for work.
• You live with a partner who can claim Universal Credit.
• You have taken time out from your course due to illness or caring responsibilities, and you are now recovered or your caring responsibilities have ended, and you are waiting to return to your course.

If you are a full-time student with children and are eligible for Universal Credit, the amount you receive may be affected by your student income, such as loans and grants. Loans for maintenance, such as living costs and rent, are considered income and will be taken into account when calculating your Universal Credit. However, loans for tuition fees and other study costs are excluded.

Full-time students with no parental support

If you are a full-time student with no parental support, you may be able to claim Universal Credit if you meet the following criteria:

• You are under the age of 21 and are enrolled in a full-time course of non-advanced education or training that started before you turned 21. You can continue to receive Universal Credit until the end of the academic year in which you turn 21 or until the end of your course if it ends before you turn 21.
• You are responsible for a child, either as a single person or as part of a couple.
• You have taken time off from your course due to illness or caring responsibilities, and you are now recovered or your caring responsibilities have ended, and you are waiting to return to your course.
• You are claiming Universal Credit as a student under 21, doing a course that leads to a qualification up to the A-level standard, and you have no parental support. In this case, you will not have to do anything under your claimant commitment.
• You have received a Migration Notice telling you to move to Universal Credit.

It is important to note that the definition of "full-time" is usually decided by the education or training provider. Additionally, Universal Credit takes into account your student income, such as loans and grants, when calculating the amount you will receive.

Full-time students with a non-student partner

If you are a full-time student with a non-student partner, your partner may be able to claim means-tested benefits for both of you. Your eligibility will depend on your income and capital. Some of your student support may be taken into account when calculating your benefits.

If you are a full-time student claiming Universal Credit and have a non-student partner, you will both need to make a joint claim for Universal Credit. The amount you receive will depend on your partner's income and savings, as well as your own.

If you are a full-time student with a non-student partner, you may be able to claim Universal Credit if you meet any of the following criteria:

• You are responsible for a child.
• You have received a Migration Notice telling you to move to Universal Credit.
• You are disabled, have been assessed as having Limited Capability for Work, and are receiving certain benefits.
• You are 21 or under, in full-time non-advanced education, and do not have parental support.
• You are in full-time non-advanced education, do not receive a student loan or maintenance grant, and are available for work. (Note that if your course is more than 12 hours a week, this only applies from 1 September following your 19th birthday, as your parents can claim benefits for you before that date.)

Full-time students with a disability

As a full-time student, you can only claim Universal Credit if you meet certain criteria. If you are a full-time student with a disability, there are specific conditions that must be met to be eligible for Universal Credit. Here are the details:

Eligibility for Universal Credit as a Full-Time Student with a Disability:

• Age and Parental Support: If you are 21 or under and do not have parental support, you may be eligible. This includes if you have left care provided by the local council or are without parents and are not under local authority care.
• Course Level and Timing: You must be enrolled in a full-time course of non-advanced education or training that started before you turned 21, and you must continue until the end of the academic year in which you turn 21 or until the course ends, whichever comes first.
• Responsibility for a Child: If you are a single parent or part of a couple responsible for a child, you may be eligible.
• Partner's Eligibility: If you live with a partner who is eligible for Universal Credit, you may be able to claim it as well.
• Migration Notice: If you received a Migration Notice instructing you to switch to Universal Credit and were enrolled in a course before making your claim, you may qualify.
• Previous Claim: If you were already receiving Employment and Support Allowance and have moved to Universal Credit without a break, you may be eligible.
• Disability Benefits and Work Capability: If you receive specific disability benefits and have been assessed as having limited capability for work before starting your course, you may be eligible. The relevant disability benefits include Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Child Disability Payment (in Scotland), Attendance Allowance, and Armed Forces Independence Payment.
• Student Income and Work Availability: If you are studying full-time in non-advanced education, do not receive a student loan or maintenance grant, and are available for work, you may qualify. However, if your course is more than 12 hours a week, this only applies from 1 September following your 19th birthday, as your parents can claim benefits for you before that date.

Work Capability Assessment:

If your disability limits your ability to work, you may need to undergo a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) to determine how your health condition affects your capacity to work. This assessment will help decide if you are fit for work or have limited capability for work, which will impact your Universal Credit claim.

Student Income and Universal Credit Payments:

Your student income, such as maintenance loans and grants, can affect the amount of Universal Credit you receive. Loans for maintenance (living costs and rent) are considered income and are deducted from your Universal Credit payment. However, loans for tuition fees and other study costs are excluded. The maximum maintenance loan you are eligible for will be taken into account, even if you receive a reduced amount or choose not to take the full loan.

Other Considerations:

If you are a full-time student with a disability, it is important to note that Universal Credit is not the only source of financial support. You may also be eligible for other benefits, such as the Disabled Facilities Grants or Healthy Start vouchers. Additionally, you can claim Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) simultaneously. Furthermore, you may be entitled to help with health service dental treatment, eyesight tests, and travel costs associated with medical treatment.

Full-time students on a non-advanced course

• 21 or younger and in full-time non-advanced education. Non-advanced education is any qualification up to A-Level or equivalent.
• Responsible for a child.
• Living with a partner who is claiming Universal Credit.
• Old enough to receive a state pension, and the partner they live with is under the state pension age.

If you are 21 or younger, in non-advanced education and don't have parental support, you may be eligible if:

• You're in full-time non-advanced education or training that started before you turned 21.
• You turn 21 while still on the course.

If you meet this specific criterion, you will be able to claim Universal Credit until:

• The end of the academic year in which you turn 21.
• The end of the course, if it ends before you turn 21.

You may be asked to provide evidence of the course you are doing.

Frequently asked questions