University Students: Claiming Housing Benefits And Other Tips

If you're a full-time university student, you're probably not eligible for Housing Benefit. However, there are some exceptions. For example, if you already receive Housing Benefit, you may be able to continue claiming it while studying full-time. Additionally, if you're a lone parent or foster carer, or you live with a partner who is not a student and has a low income, you may be eligible for Universal Credit, which can help with housing costs.

Full-time students and Housing Benefit eligibility

Full-time students are usually not eligible for Housing Benefit. However, there are some exceptions. If you already have a claim for Housing Benefit, you may be able to continue receiving it while you study. If you are not already claiming Housing Benefit, any help with housing costs will be paid through Universal Credit, for which you will have to meet the eligibility criteria.

If you are a full-time student who is already claiming Housing Benefit, you can continue to receive it if you meet one of the following conditions:

• You receive Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
• You are a lone parent or a member of a couple where both partners are full-time students and responsible for a child.
• You are a lone foster carer with a child formally placed with you by a local authority or voluntary agency.
• You receive certain disability benefits, such as Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, or Attendance Allowance.
• You or your partner are registered blind.
• You have been unable to work due to sickness or disability for at least 28 weeks.
• You are under 21 on a non-advanced course (age can sometimes be extended to 22).
• You are over 66 and neither you nor your partner are receiving Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. If you qualify for guaranteed Pension Credit, you will receive the maximum entitlement to 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 get.

If you are a full-time student and do not already receive Housing Benefit, you may still be able to claim Universal Credit to help with housing costs if you meet certain criteria. These include:

• Being aged 21 or under, in full-time non-advanced education, and not having parental support.
• Being responsible for a child.
• Living with a partner who is eligible for Universal Credit.
• Having reached the qualifying age for Pension Credit and living with a partner who is under that age.
• Receiving a Migration Notice telling you to move to Universal Credit.
• Being disabled and assessed as having limited capability for work, and receiving certain disability benefits.

Part-time students and Housing Benefit eligibility

If you are already claiming Housing Benefit and start a part-time course, you might be able to continue receiving Housing Benefit. However, if you are under 66 and receive student support in the form of a grant or loan, the amount of Housing Benefit you can claim will usually be reduced. If you also receive Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, you will automatically receive your maximum entitlement to Housing Benefit.

It is no longer possible to make new claims for Housing Benefit unless you are over 66 or live in temporary or supported accommodation. If you do not already have a claim for Housing Benefit and require assistance with rent, you will need to claim Universal Credit.

If you are a part-time student, you can usually claim Universal Credit as long as you meet the claimant commitment conditions, such as looking for jobs. You should speak to your job centre work coach about your part-time course when you apply.

If you are under 21 and cannot live with your parents, you may be able to claim Universal Credit as a full-time student if your course is classed as non-advanced education (e.g. A levels). To be eligible, you must be in a situation where your parents do not support you, for example, if you have been asked to leave home or would be at risk there.

If you are living with a partner, you could get Universal Credit if they are not a student and you have a low income. In this case, you would need to make a joint claim.

Exceptions for full-time students claiming Universal Credit

Generally, full-time students cannot claim Universal Credit. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Here are the circumstances under which full-time students may be eligible to claim Universal Credit:

Under 21 and Without Parental Support

Full-time students under the age of 21 who are taking a course leading to a qualification at or below A-level (or equivalent) and who do not have parental support may be able to claim Universal Credit. This includes students who have left local council care or are unable to live with their parents.

Responsible for a Child

Full-time students who are single parents or part of a couple with children may be eligible for Universal Credit. This applies regardless of the age of the student.

Living with an Eligible Partner

Full-time students living with a partner who is eligible for Universal Credit may be able to claim it themselves. This applies regardless of the age of the student.

Qualifying Age for Pension Credit

If a full-time student has reached the qualifying age for Pension Credit and lives with a partner who is under that age, they may be able to claim Universal Credit.

Migration Notice

Full-time students who have received a Migration Notice telling them to move to Universal Credit may be eligible to claim it.

Disability or Limited Capability for Work

Full-time students with a disability or limited capability for work may be able to claim Universal Credit if they receive certain benefits. These benefits include:

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
• Attendance Allowance
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
• Pension Age Disability Payment (in Scotland)

Non-Advanced Education and Available for Work

Full-time students studying non-advanced education (below degree level) who do not receive a student loan or maintenance grant and are available for work may be able to claim Universal Credit. This only applies if the course is more than 12 hours per week and started after the student's 19th birthday.

Time Out from Course

Full-time students who have taken time out from their course due to illness or caring responsibilities may be able to claim Universal Credit while they are not studying.

Exceptions for part-time students claiming Universal Credit

Part-time students can claim Universal Credit if they are working, including self-employed or part-time, or unable to work due to a health condition. They must be aged 18 or over, with some exceptions for 16 to 17-year-olds. They must also have £16,000 or less in money, savings, and investments.

Part-time students can claim Universal Credit if they meet the following criteria:

• They are in a couple, and their partner is eligible for Universal Credit.
• They are part of a couple responsible for a child, and one or both partners are students.
• They are single and responsible for a child.
• They have reached the qualifying age for Pension Credit and live with a partner who is under that age.
• They have received a Migration Notice to move to Universal Credit and were enrolled in a course before claiming.
• They are already receiving Employment and Support Allowance and have moved to Universal Credit.
• They are disabled, have been assessed as having Limited Capability for Work, and receive specific benefits such as Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.
• They are studying full-time non-advanced education, do not receive a student loan or maintenance grant, and are available for work. This only applies from the September following their 19th birthday, as parents can claim benefits for their children before that date.
• They are 21 or under, enrolled in full-time non-advanced education, and do not have parental support.

It is important to note that Universal Credit takes into account any student income, such as loans and grants, when calculating the benefit amount.

Other income-related benefits for students

Full-time students are usually ineligible for Universal Credit, but there are exceptions. For example, you can claim Universal Credit if you are:

• Aged 21 or under, in non-advanced education, and do not have parental support.
• Responsible for a child.
• Living with a partner who is eligible for Universal Credit.
• Receiving certain disability benefits, such as the Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, or Attendance Allowance.

If you are a part-time student, you may be able to get Universal Credit as long as you can meet the work-related requirements.

You can also claim Jobseeker's Allowance during the summer holiday if:

• You are a lone parent.
• You have a partner who is also a full-time student, and one or both of you is responsible for a child or young person.
• You are available for and actively seeking work.
• You have enough National Insurance contributions.

If you are a part-time student, you may be able to claim Jobseeker's Allowance if you are:

• Out of work or working less than 16 hours a week on average.
• Actively seeking work.
• Below retirement age.
• Have enough National Insurance contributions.

If you already claim Employment and Support Allowance, you may be able to continue receiving it as a student.

Additionally, if you are a student with a low income, you may be eligible for extra help, such as the Childcare Grant, Parents' Learning Allowance, or Adult Dependants' Grant. If you have a disability, you can apply for the Disabled Students' Allowance.

Frequently asked questions