Students

Coronavirus (COVID-19): change to service

On advice from the government regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19), we are able to offer some extra assistance to those who most need it.

See further information about changes to services.

Most but not all full-time (FT) students are not entitled to Housing Benefit. New Housing Benefit claims can only be considered from those in temporary accommodation (under Homelessness Prevention legislation), certain supported accommodation and those who have reached State Pension Age.

Students who are in one of the groups above would be considered eligible where they are:

Any students receiving Income Support, Job Seeker's Allowance (Income Based), Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related).
All part-time students
Students under 21 in further education not higher (as long as they were enrolled/accepted before the age of 19)
Students under 20 for whom Child Benefit is still payable
Students of pensionable age
Students couples both students who are responsible for a child
Students couples of which only one is a student who are responsible for a child (please note the non student must claim)
Students lone parents who are responsible for a child
Students responsible for foster children
Students who qualify for the disability premium/severe disability premium
Students who receive Incapacity Benefit at the short-tem higher rate
Students who do not get Incapacity Benefit but are incapable of work (as decided by the Department for Works and Pensions) and have been for at least 28 weeks
Students who have a United Kingdom grant which includes an allowance for deafness
Students unable to get a grant or student loan following an absence from their studies (with consent) due to illness or providing care to another person.

Who should claim is shown below. For further advice contact us.

Claimant	Partner	Who can Claim?
FT student - in eligible group	Non-student	Either can claim
FT student - not in eligible group	Non-student	Partner can claim
FT student - not in eligible group	FT student - not in eligible group	Neither can claim
FT student - not in eligible group	FT student – in eligible group	Partner can claim
FT student – in eligible group	FT student – not in eligible group	Claimant can claim
Non-student	FT student – not in eligible group	Claimant can claim
Non-student	FT student - in eligible group	Either can claim
Non-student	Non-student	Either can claim