Part-time Student

If you are a part-time student, you can only claim Universal Credit if your course does not stop you from doing your work-related activities.

What your work-related activities are will depend on your circumstances. If you are expected to look for work and be available for work, you will have to show that your course won’t stop you from doing this, and you might have to agree to give up your course if you get a job offer. You might be able to argue that your course will help you to get a job or a better paid job, and so that it should mean you need to spend less hours looking for work. You will need to agree this with your work coach. 

If you live with a partner who is not a student, they could get Universal Credit. Your income will be counted as part of their claim. This includes any student grants or loans you get.

Full-time Student  

Full-time students typically cannot claim Universal Credit; however, there are exceptions, as outlined below:

• Parents: Individuals responsible for a child.
• Foster Parents.
• Disabled Students: Those receiving ADP/DLA/PIP, with limited capability for work (LCW) determined before starting the course.
• Young Students in FE: Under 21 in Further Education and without parental support – for example, estranged from parents or turning 21 during the course.
• Pensioner Students: Those over pension age (currently 66), i.e., on Universal Credit because they have a younger partner.
• Time Out: Individuals waiting to return to the course after taking time off due to illness or caring responsibilities.
• Non-student Partner: A student whose partner is not a student.
• Student Couple: Where one or both partners fall into one of the above groups.

If you live with a partner who is not a student, they could be eligible for Universal Credit, and your income will be considered as part of their claim. This includes any student grants or loans you receive.

Managed Migration 

If you are a ‘notified person’ and you are ‘receiving education’ on the day your legacy benefits are to end because you have claimed UC, the usual student exclusion from entitlement to UC does not apply while you’re continuing to undertake that course.

So, ALL full-time students who are ‘notified persons’ are eligible for UC (whether get any depends on calculation).

Which benefits are affected by loans, Bursaries and grants?

The benefits affected are Universal Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, and Council Tax Reduction (students are usually exempt).

The benefits that are not affected are Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, and Child Benefits.

Right to Reside 

You might need to show you have a right to reside in the UK to claim the following benefits:

• Universal Credit 
• Pension Credit
• Child Benefit
• Housing Benefit

You don’t need a right to reside to claim any other benefits – for example Adult Disability Payment or Carer Support Payment. You will need to show you have a right to reside if you’ve got pre-settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme – or if you’ve applied to the scheme and you’re waiting for a decision.

If you need any help or support regarding understanding benefits or seeking information, reach out to our advice.scot team at 0808 800 9060 for expert guidance. Our lines are open Monday to Friday from 9:00am till 5:00pm.