Lana Oconnell
Most full-time university students are not eligible for Housing Benefit. However, there are certain exceptions. Students who are already receiving Housing Benefit can continue to receive it if they meet specific conditions, such as receiving Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance. Additionally, students who are parents or foster carers may be eligible. Students over the State Pension age or those who qualify for a disabled student allowance may also be entitled to Housing Benefit. While full-time students typically cannot claim Housing Benefit, they may be eligible for other forms of support, such as Universal Credit or non-repayable government grants to assist with accommodation and living costs.
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What You'll Learn
Student parents or foster parents
Most full-time students cannot claim Housing Benefit. This is because the government expects them to use other sources of income, such as grants, student loans, or access funds, to pay their rent. However, there are some exceptions for student parents or foster parents.
If you are a student parent or foster parent, you may be able to claim Housing Benefit if you meet certain conditions. One condition is that you must be receiving Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. Additionally, if you are a single parent or foster carer with a child placed with you, or if you are part of a couple where both partners are full-time students and have children, you may be eligible for Housing Benefit.
It is important to note that if you are under 66 and receive student support in the form of a grant or loan, this will usually reduce the amount of Housing Benefit you can claim. However, if you also receive one of the previously mentioned allowances, you will automatically receive your maximum entitlement to Housing Benefit.
If you are a student from Europe, you may be able to claim Housing Benefit if you fall into one of the eligible categories. Students funded by the National Health Service (NHS) may also claim Housing Benefit under the same rules that apply to other students.
To determine your eligibility for Housing Benefit, it is recommended to use a benefits calculator or seek advice from the relevant government or council sources.
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Students with low income or out of work
Most full-time students are not entitled to Housing Benefit. However, students with low incomes or those who are out of work can claim Housing Benefit if they meet certain conditions.
Firstly, students who are out of work and claiming unemployment benefits can apply for Housing Benefit. Student loans are treated as income, and the full loan amount is considered, even if a lesser amount is borrowed. However, a weekly income disregard of £10 applies to loan income. If you are receiving student support in the form of a grant or loan, this will usually reduce the amount of Housing Benefit you can claim.
Secondly, students with low incomes may still be eligible for Housing Benefit if they fall into one of the following groups:
- Receiving Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
- Being a lone parent or a couple with children, where both partners are full-time students.
- Being a lone foster carer with a child placed by a local authority or voluntary agency.
- Receiving Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, or other disability benefits.
- Being under 21 and in further education (not higher education), as long as they enrolled before the age of 19.
- Being under 20 and still receiving Child Benefit.
- Being incapable of work (as assessed by the Department for Work and Pensions) for at least 28 weeks.
- Receiving a Disabled Student Grant, including an allowance for deafness.
Additionally, students from Europe can claim Housing Benefit if they fall into any of the above categories. Students funded by the National Health Service (NHS) may also claim Housing Benefit under the same rules.
It is important to note that these conditions apply to students who are already receiving Housing Benefit and wish to continue receiving it as a student.
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Students with disabilities
Most full-time students are not entitled to Housing Benefit. However, students with disabilities may be eligible for housing benefits under certain conditions.
If you are a full-time student who already receives Housing Benefit, you can continue to receive it if you meet specific criteria. For instance, if you receive Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. Additionally, if you are a lone parent or part of a student couple responsible for a child, you may be eligible.
If you are a student renting from a local authority, a housing association, or a social housing provider, your eligible rent for Housing Benefit calculations will typically be your actual rent, excluding certain charges like those for a garage or fuel. However, if you are of working age and have spare bedrooms, your eligible rent may be reduced under the 'bedroom tax' rule.
It is worth noting that Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit, and most people will need to claim the latter. Students with disabilities should check their eligibility for Housing Benefit and explore the available support options to ensure they receive the financial assistance they need.
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Students from Europe
Most full-time students cannot claim Housing Benefit. This is because the government expects them to use other sources of income, such as grants, student loans, or access funds, to pay their rent. However, there are certain exceptions. Students who are receiving Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-Based), or Employment and Support Allowance (Income-Related) may be eligible for Housing Benefit. Additionally, students who are lone parents or part of a couple where both partners are students and responsible for a child may also be eligible.
For students from Europe, the rules are similar. If you are a student from Europe, you can only claim Housing Benefit if you fall into one of the categories of students who are eligible for Housing Benefit. Students funded by the National Health Service (NHS) may claim Housing Benefit under the same rules that apply to other students. Any NHS bursary will be treated as income, subject to any relevant amounts that can be disregarded.
Students from outside Europe may not be able to claim Housing Benefit, even if they are in one of the eligible groups. Their immigration status and the conditions under which they entered the country will determine their eligibility for Housing Benefit.
It is important to note that if you are already receiving Housing Benefit as a full-time student, you can continue to do so if you meet certain conditions. These include receiving specific benefits, being a lone parent or foster carer, or receiving certain disability allowances. Additionally, if you qualify for guaranteed Pension Credit, you will receive the maximum entitlement to Housing Benefit.
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Students over 66
Generally, full-time students are not eligible for Housing Benefit. This is because the government expects them to use other sources of funding, such as grants, student loans, or access funds, to pay their rent. However, there are exceptions for specific groups of students, such as those who are responsible for a child or young person, those who receive Income Support, and those who are under 21 and not in higher education. International students, especially those from outside Europe, also typically cannot claim Housing Benefit.
For full-time students over 66, the situation may differ. While there is no explicit mention of students over 66 in the context of Housing Benefit, it is worth noting that age can be a factor in benefit eligibility. In the UK, reaching a certain age can make individuals eligible for Pension Credit. If a full-time student over 66 lives with a partner who has not yet reached the qualifying age for Pension Credit, they may be able to claim Universal Credit.
Universal Credit is a monthly payment that helps individuals with living costs, including housing. While full-time students are usually ineligible for Universal Credit, there are exceptions. One of the exceptions specifically mentions age: if an individual has reached the qualifying age for Pension Credit, they may be able to claim Universal Credit even if they are studying full-time. This suggests that age is a significant factor in benefit entitlement.
Therefore, while there is no explicit information about Housing Benefit for full-time students over 66, the reference to Pension Credit and Universal Credit suggests that age may play a role in benefit eligibility. To confirm their eligibility for Housing Benefit or other benefits, full-time students over 66 should refer to the latest government guidance or seek advice from their local Citizen's Advice or student support services.
It is important to note that benefit eligibility can be complex and depend on various factors, including income, immigration status, and individual circumstances. As such, students over 66 should seek official guidance and explore other sources of financial support available to them.
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Frequently asked questions
Most full-time students are not entitled to Housing Benefit. However, there are exceptions.
Students who are receiving Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance can claim Housing Benefit.
Yes, students who are lone parents or part of a couple where both partners are students and responsible for a child can claim Housing Benefits.
Students who are lone foster carers with a child placed with them by a local authority or voluntary agency can also claim Housing Benefit.
Full-time students can claim Universal Credit if they are available for work, studying part-time, or studying full-time non-advanced education. They must not be receiving a student loan or maintenance grant.
