Benefits
Do you want to know whether you can claim benefits? Or perhaps you are already claiming benefits but need to know if you still qualify now you are a student.
Most full time students are generally not eligible unless you fit within a certain group such as a single parent, a person with a disability, or you have been incapable of work for 28 weeks. If you are a part time student, you may qualify but check with your department to see if your course is treated as part time. The advice centre can offer lots of help from calculating how much benefit you may receive to advising on appeals. All our staff are experienced to deal with the following benefits and more:
• Housing benefit
• Council tax benefit
• Income support
• Job Seekers Allowance
• Disability living allowance and sickness benefits
• Working tax credit and child tax credit
• Maternity related benefits
As a rule of thumb, student loans are usually taken into account as income during the academic year, reducing any money you may receive. But during the long summer vacation, this is ignored. Therefore, consider making a fresh application during the middle of June. If you are a single parent and your youngest child is under 7 years old, as things stand, you may qualify for income support during the summer months, though watch this space as the regulations are subject to change.
Also, it’s important to remember that should you decide to intercalate and suspend your studies, you are still classed as a full time student and may not be able to claim job seekers allowance.
Benefits are complex, and it is always best to see one of our trained advisers if you are in any doubt.
