Means tested benefits
As a full time student if you are eligible to claim benefits then the following is a list of means tested benefits that may be available (for a full list of available benefits visit the Direct.gov website: Benefits and financial Support).
Income support (IS):
Single parents and some disabled students could claim. Entitlement may be reduced as student funding is taken into account. The following students can claim income Support:
- A lone parent who is responsible for a child under 12 years old
- Fostering a child under 16 years old through a local authority or voluntary organisation and are not a member of a couple
- A disabled student, must be on disability premium or severe disabilitypremium, qualify for Disabled Student Allowance because you are deaf, or you have been treated as incapable of work for a continuous period of at least 28 weeks.
- A person from abroad with Limited Leave to Remain in the UK
- A refugee who is learning English
- A member of a couple who are both full time students
- You are on the Adult Learning Option Scheme
This is not a full list of qualifying eligibility and is intended for advice purposes only, for a full description of who is eligible and why contact your nearest benefits office. For further details about Money, Tax and Benefits go to: http://www.direct.gov.uk
Job Seekers Allowance (JSA):
If you are a full time student you cannot usually qualify for JSA for the duration of your course, including vacations, because you are treated as unavailable for work. In general, students are expected to receive student support such as loans and grants.
Full time students who can claim JSA:
If you are:
- One of a couple, both of you are full time students and either or both of you are responsible for a child aged under 16. This exception only applies during the summer vacation. The person who claims must be available for work and meet all the other basic rules for JSA
- A lone parent with a dependent child aged under 16, or a qualifying young person aged under 20. You must be available for work and meet the other basic rules for JSA. You may be able to claim IS instead depending on the age of your youngest child
- Aged 25 or over and on a full time, qualifying course, approved in advance by an employment officer at the Jobcentre Plus office
- A full time student on an employment related course approved in advance by an employment officer at the Jobcentre Plus, for one period of up to two weeks in any 12 months, or
- Attending a compulsory residential course as part of an Open University course, for up to one week for each course, or
- Attending a residential training programme run by the Venture Trust, for one programme only for a maximum of four weeks in any 12 month period, or
- A full time student who has suspended their studies because of illness or caring responsibilities, and you have either recovered from your illness or ceased caring and are waiting to return to your course. You can qualify for JSA for up to a year (CPAG 2008/9, p 182)
