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How does studying in higher education affect my benefits?
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Updated 21 August 2008
How does studying in higher education affect my benefits?
Note: You cannot choose to claim benefits instead of applying for all the Student Support your family is entitled to and you must tell the office(s) that pay your benefits and/or tax credits that you are now a student and about changes to your income.
For information about benefits and tax credits your family may be entitled to call the Lone Parent Helpline.
Income Support
As a lone parent you can claim this while you are studying, but during the period of study (this is usually either 42 or 43 weeks, from the first full benefit week in September to the last full benefit week in June), your Student Support income is likely to be higher than the amount of Income Support most lone parents are entitled to. This wouldn't always be the case if, for example, you are receiving an extra amount of Income Support for mortgage interest and other housing costs and if the amount you are entitled to is higher than the amount of your Student Support. During July and August the Student Loan for Maintenance is not normally counted as income, so you should make a claim for these months, or, if you are already receiving Income Support, make sure it is recalculated.
Changes for parents who start their course 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 benefi t 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 you may be entitled to them in the summer holidays - get advice about this. For more information about these benefits and changes call the Lone Parent Helpline.
When might my Income Support end?
1) 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
2) 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
3) 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
4) 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
Tax credits
Unless you have other income apart from Student Support, you should be entitled to the maximum amount of Child Tax Credit. If you study and work, you have to work 16 hours a week or more to be entitled to Working Tax Credit. If you are getting the childcare element of Working Tax Credit you will not get a Childcare Grant as well.
Council Tax exemption and Housing Benefit
Full-time students do not have to pay Council Tax. As a lone parent, you can claim Housing Benefit while you are studying. Your Student Support and any other income will affect the amount you receive. You are likely to receive a higher amount during July and August, as your Student Loan income is not taken into account (see Income Support under How does studying in higher education affect my benefits?)
Carer's Allowance
You will not be entitled to claim 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 are 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 your incapacity for work, they will consider what activities you are able to complete as part of a typical day at college. They should also consider the 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
If you are on a full-time higher education course, this may mean that you cannot meet the rules about being available for and actively seeking work. You may be expected to give up your studies or rearrange the hours you study to take up suitable employment offered to you.
Next page: Further help and information
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