Part-Time Students: Universal Credit Eligibility And Support

Part-time students can claim Universal Credit, but they must be available for work when not studying and meet work-related requirements. This means that if a student's course does not prevent them from working, they can claim Universal Credit. However, if a student is expected to look for work and be available for work, they may have to give up their course if they get a job offer.

Part-time students must meet work-related requirements to claim Universal Credit

Part-time students can claim Universal Credit, but they must meet work-related requirements. The specific requirements depend on the student's circumstances. For example, if a student is expected to look for work and be available for work, they must show that their course will not stop them from doing this. They may need to agree to give up their course if they get a job offer. However, they may argue that their course will help them get a job or a better-paid job, and therefore they should need to spend less time looking for work. This would need to be agreed upon with their work coach.

Part-time students are defined as those who are studying but are not in relevant education, which is full-time and not advanced, and are not attending a full-time course. If a student started a full-time course and then reduced their hours of attendance, they might still be treated as a full-time student.

Students are counted as part-time from the first day until the last day of the course or, if they do not complete the course, until the day they are dismissed or abandon it. This means that they are counted as a student even during holidays and when taking time out from studying, unless certain circumstances apply.

For Universal Credit, a student will be treated as part-time if they are studying but are not in relevant education, are not attending a full-time course, and their course does not stop them from doing their work-related requirements.

Part-time students can get help with housing costs

For Universal Credit, you will be treated as a part-time student if you are studying but are not in relevant education (full-time and not advanced) and are not attending a full-time course. Your course must also not stop you from fulfilling your work-related requirements. If you are expected to look for work and be available for work, you will have to show that your course won't prevent this, and you may have to agree to give up your course if you get a job offer.

If you are already getting Housing Benefit, you might be able to continue receiving it if you start studying part-time. 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, unless you also get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. In this case, 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 don't already have a claim for Housing Benefit and you want help with your rent, you will need to claim Universal Credit.

Student income affects Universal Credit payments

If you are a student with an income, this can affect your Universal Credit payments. Your student income, including loans and grants, will be taken into account when calculating your Universal Credit. For every £1 you are entitled to get from a maintenance loan, your Universal Credit will be reduced by £1.

If you are in advanced education, you must report all student income you receive, including:

• Bursaries
• Scholarships
• Studentships
• Exhibition allowances
• Any other maintenance awards

The maximum student loan available to you will be taken into account, even if you have not applied for it, not accepted it, or decided not to take the full amount. If you receive a reduced loan because someone contributes to your living costs, this will also be taken into account when calculating your Universal Credit.

Student grants for your day-to-day living expenses (maintenance grants) are also taken into account. However, extra grants for the following are disregarded:

• Tuition or examination fees
• Expenses paid for a disability
• Extra costs due to term-time residential study away from your college or university
• Housing costs for a home other than where you live while attending your course (unless you are already getting the Housing Costs Element for this property)
• Living expenses for another person, but only if you are not getting Universal Credit for that person (including the Adult Dependant's Grant)
• Expenses for books and equipment (including the Parent's Learning Allowance)
• Travel expenses for attending the course
• Childcare costs (including the Childcare Grant)

If you receive a Special Support Loan or Grant, this will not be taken off your Universal Credit. A Special Support Loan or Grant provides help towards the costs of study, such as books, equipment, and travel.

Student grants may not be included in Universal Credit calculations

If you are a student in the UK, your Universal Credit is calculated based on your income. This includes student loans for maintenance and student grants. However, not all student grants are included in the calculation.

If you are eligible for a student loan, the following student grants will be included in the Universal Credit calculation:

The maintenance costs of another person included in your Universal Credit award.

If you are not eligible for a student loan, the following student grants will not be included in the Universal Credit calculation:

• Tuition and examination fees.
• Expenses for residential study away from an educational establishment.
• Living away from your usual place of study.
• Maintenance of a dependent adult (if the Universal Credit award does not include an amount for this person).

Extra grants for the following are disregarded:

• Tuition or examination fees.
• Expenses paid for a disability.
• Extra costs due to term-time residential study away from your college or university.
• Housing costs for a home other than where you live while attending your course (unless you are already getting the Housing Costs Element for this property).
• Living expenses for another person, but only if you're not getting Universal Credit for that person (including the Adult Dependant's Grant).
• Expenses for books and equipment (including the Parent's Learning Allowance).
• Travel expenses for attending the course.
• Childcare costs (including the Childcare Grant).

Part-time students can claim Jobseeker's Allowance if they are out of work

If you are a part-time student and are unemployed, you may be able to claim Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). However, it is important to note that the specific conditions for eligibility may vary depending on your location.

In the UK, you can no longer make new claims for income-related JSA. However, if you are already receiving JSA and start studying part-time, you may be able to continue receiving it. To be eligible, you must show that you are available for full-time work around your study hours. Your student support in the form of grants or loans may reduce the amount of income-based JSA you can claim.

In New Zealand, you may be able to receive Jobseeker Support Student Hardship if you are on a study break of more than three weeks. This benefit provides weekly payments to help with living expenses while you look for full-time work. To be eligible, you must meet specific criteria, including being a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, actively seeking full-time work, and meeting the hardship criteria.

It is important to note that the eligibility criteria and application processes for Jobseeker's Allowance may differ based on your location and specific circumstances. Be sure to check with the relevant government or benefits agency in your area to understand the specific requirements that apply to you.

Frequently asked questions