Can I continue to claim benefits while I am studying in further education?

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Updated 19 August 2008

See Financial help while you are studying for whether the type of financial help you may be entitled to will affect the amount of any benefits and/or tax credits you receive.

In most cases, you can study in further education and continue to receive benefits as long as you continue to satisfy all the conditions for being entitled to them.

Changes for parents who start education or training after November 2008
See Important information for lone parents considering entering education. Depending on the age of your youngest child, you may have to claim another benefit instead of Income Support unless you have already started your course. Instead you can claim:

Income Support and Incapacity Benefit (if you claim after 27 October 2008 you will claim Employment and Support Allowance instead) if you are sick or disabled;
Carer's Allowance and Income Support if you are caring for someone (including your own child) who is sick or disabled; or
Jobseeker's Allowance.

There are rules about studying and claiming these benefits (see below), but don't be put off from making a claim. Get advice about how you may be able to study or train and still be entitled to these benefits.

For more information about these benefits and changes call the Lone Parent Helpline.

When might my Income Support end?

Your course or training starts
before November 2008

Your youngest child is aged
under 16

You can claim Income Support until (whichever until comes first)
your child becomes 16
you stop attending the course
your course ends

Your course or training starts

between November 2008 and September 2009

Your youngest child is aged
under 12

You can claim Income Support until (whichever until comes first)
your child becomes 12
you stop attending the course
your course ends

Your course or training starts
between October 2009 and September 2010

Your youngest child is aged
under 10

You can claim Income Support until (whichever until comes first)
your child becomes 10
you stop attending the course
your course ends

Your course or training starts
after October 2010

Your youngest child is aged
under 7

You can claim Income Support until (whichever until comes first)
your child becomes 7
Carer's Allowance

You are not entitled to Carer's Allowance if you are in full-time education of 21 hours or more a week (this includes individual study for course work as well as attending classes) as defined by your college.

Incapacity Benefit/Employment and Support Allowance

If you are under 19 years you cannot receive this benefit if your classes, lectures and other supervised study take up more than 21 hours a week (the time you spend studying on your own does not count).

If you are 19 or over, you can continue to claim but when Jobcentre Plus next assesses whether you are still unable to work, because of your illness or disability, they will consider what activities you are able to complete as part of a typical day at college. They should also consider any support you may need in order to undertake the course and whether you are doing the course for therapeutic reasons. Get independent advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau before starting your course.

Jobseeker's Allowance

You cannot get Jobseeker's Allowance if your course consists of 16 or more guided learning hours a week. This does not include time you spend studying on your own.

You must also continue to look for work, and show that the course you are doing does not affect the hours you have agreed that you are available for work (there are particular rules about this for lone parents to take into account their caring responsibilities) and that if a suitable job becomes available, you are willing to take it.

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