In general most full-time students are not eligible for means-tested welfare benefits. There are exceptions including for lone parents, student couples with children and disabled students.
In general being a part-time student doesn't preclude you from means-tested benefits but it may affect your eligibility.
The rules for students and benefits are very complicated and are often different to what they would be if you were not a student.
Entitlement to benefits for people who are carers, sick, unable to work or disabled can also be different or more complex when they are also a student.
Seek advice on any welfare benefit matter you are unsure about or are struggling with.
Seek advice if you are moving from claiming welfare benefits into Higher Education.
Seek advice if you are a student and your circumstances change and you think you may have become entitled to benefits.
It can be a challenge finding a specialist adviser who knows all the rules that apply to students. Perhaps start with your University or College money advice services or Student Union Advice but do check that they are able to offer specialist welfare benefit advice - not all will be sufficiently expert, but should help to signpost you to local services that can help.
These links may help you find a suitable adviser in the local community.
Student Support and benefits - this is useful to help you know which elements of your student income are taken into account when calculating means-tested benefits.
Not for the fainthearted are the Department of Work and Pensions guides for their Decision Makers, published to give the public insight into how some benefit decisions are made.
No comments:
Post a Comment