House of Commons - Written Answer concerning which students can get Universal Credit - Mon, 10 June 2013
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in what circumstances someone undertaking study or training will be eligible to receive universal credit.[158812]
Mr Hoban: People undertaking study or training will be eligible for universal credit provided the course is compatible with the work-related requirements appropriate in their case and it is not:
- a course of non-advanced education or training undertaken by a young person whose parent would be eligible for the child element of UC;
- a full-time course of advanced education, or
- another full-time course for which a student loan or grant has been provided.
In addition there is no restriction on entitlement to UC while undertaking any course of study or training where the student:
- is a member of a couple where the other eligible adult is entitled to universal credit;
- has dependent children or foster children (whether as a lone parent or member of a couple where both are students);
- is disabled, entitled to disability living allowance or personal independence payment and satisfies the work capability assessment;
- is over pension age (in couple cases where one is over and one under that age); and
- for non-advanced education only, they are up to age 21 and without parental support.
Eligible claimants who are in advanced education and in receipt of a student loan or grant for the course they are undertaking will be placed in the no work related requirements group while they are undertaking that course, except for during the long vacation. Claimants aged under 21 without parental support who are undertaking non-advanced education will also be placed in the no work related requirements group. In other cases work-related requirements will apply as normal.
For more on students and benefits see our welfare reform factsheets.
For other student resources go to our education page.