Claiming benefits as a full-time student in the UK

Understanding your eligibility

It can be tricky working out whether you’re eligible for benefits. Most students can’t get Universal Credit, but there are exceptions. For example, if you have a child or your partner receives Universal Credit.

If you’re already receiving Housing Benefit, you may continue to as a full-time student. If you have a mental health problem, illness or disability, you may be able to get benefits too.

You cannot claim Carer’s Allowance if you’re a full-time student. But there are hardship funds, the Council Tax exemption and student discounts.

Types of benefits available to students

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a benefit for those on a low income or out of work. It’s to help with living costs.

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re studying full-time and any of these apply:

• You’re aged 21 or under, in full-time non-advanced education (such as A Levels) and you do not have parental support
• You’re in non-advanced education, don’t get a student loan or maintenance grant and you’re available for work
• You’re responsible for a child
• You live with your partner and they eligible for Universal Credit
• You’ve reached the qualifying age for Pension Credit and live with a partner who is under that age
• You are already in full-time education and have moved from Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to Universal Credit
• You’ve received a Migration Notice telling you to move to Universal Credit

You may also qualify for Universal Credit if you’re disabled. You will need to have been assessed as having limited capability for work before starting your course. You must also be getting one of these:

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Child Disability Payment in Scotland
• Attendance Allowance
• Armed Forces Independence Payment

Housing Benefit

If you were already getting Housing Benefit, it’s possible to keep it as a student. You will need to meet one of the following:

• You get one of these disability benefits: DLA, PIP, Adult Disability Payment Scotland or Attendance Allowance, the disability or severe disability element of Working Tax Credit or a War Pensioner’s Disability Supplement
• You or your partner are registered blind
• You have been unable to work due to sickness or disability for at least 28 weeks
• You qualify for a Disabled Student’s Allowance because you are deaf
• You take time out from your course because of illness or caring
• You’re under 21 on a non-advanced course
• You're a lone parent or foster carer
• You're a couple with children and you're both full-time students

Most students can’t make new claims. Help with housing costs is usually paid via Universal Credit.

Note that to keep your Housing Benefit, you usually need to stay in the same council area. If you move away, you’ll likely have to claim Universal Credit instead.

Disability allowances

You can get PIP, Adult Disability Payment Scotland or Attendance Allowance as a full-time student.

PIP is paid in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. If you need help with personal care and are State Pension age or over, you can claim Attendance Allowance.

Beware that these benefits could be stopped if the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) thinks your health has improved. For instance, if you claim PIP but your course involves physical activity, this could cut your benefits.

You cannot make a new claim for DLA. But, if you are already claiming it, you can continue getting it as a full-time student. You will need to still meet the criteria.

There is also the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) for those living in England. This grant helps with high study costs caused by a mental health issue, long-term illness or disability. Conditions that may affect your studies include:

• Dyslexia
• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Being visually impaired
• Needing a special keyboard
• Being deaf
• Having cancer or HIV

But there are lots of others too, so it’s worth checking if you think you may qualify.

The allowance is not means-tested and the money does not need to be paid back. The amount you get depends on your needs, rather than your income.

To qualify, you must:

1. Be an undergraduate or postgraduate student (including Open University or distance learning)
2. Be on a course that lasts at least a year
3. Qualify for student finance from Student Finance England

Other financial support

There is lots of other financial support available to students. If you’re a full-time student – and everyone you live with is a student – you don’t have to pay Council Tax.

You’ll get a Council Tax bill if there’s someone in your household who’s not a full-time student, but your household might still qualify for a discount.

You can apply for grants and bursaries. For example, the NHS Bursary makes an annual payment if you’re studying to be a doctor or dentist.

Your university or college may offer hardship funds.

If you’re responsible for a child, as a full-time student you can still claim Child Benefit. Or if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income, you may get Pension Credit.

Meanwhile, there are plenty of discounts to help lower the cost of travel and shopping. The 16-25 Railcard offers a third off rail travel. The TOTEM card, from the NUS, gives access to cheap meals as well as discounts on brands such as Apple and Asos.

How to apply for benefits as a student

Set aside some time to work out if you’re eligible and apply for benefits. Here are some tips to navigate the benefits system.

Preparation and required documents

You’ll need lots of information and key documents to apply for benefits as a student. Here’s a list of things you’ll likely need:

• Your bank or building society details
• Email address and phone number
• Proof of your identity, such as driving licence, passport, debit or credit card, payslip or P60
• Details about your housing, such as how much rent you pay
• Your earnings, such as payslips
• Your National Insurance number
• Other benefits you get
• Proof of any disability or health condition that affects your work
• Details of how much you pay for childcare if you want help with childcare costs
• Details of savings, any investments, or a property that you rent out
• Evidence of the course you’re doing

Application process

• You can apply for Universal Credit online. You’ll need to create an account and then complete your claim within 28 days.
• To apply for PIP, call the PIP new claims phone line on 0800 917 2222.
• For Attendance Allowance, you can apply online or by post.
• Adult Disability Payment Scotland can be applied for online or by phone.
• You can apply for Housing Benefit through your local council.
• For Disabled Students’ Allowance, you can apply via your student finance account if you’re a full-time undergraduate. If you don’t need student finance, you can fill in a student finance form (DSA1 form) to apply for DSA. Part-time and postgraduate students can also apply using the DSA1 form.

How to appeal

If your claim for benefits is turned down, you can appeal. For Universal Credit, PIP and Attendance Allowance, you may ask for the decision to be looked at again before you can appeal. This is called ‘mandatory reconsideration’.

After that, you can appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal. You should appeal within one month of your mandatory reconsideration decision.

For Adult Disability Payment Scotland, there is also a two-stage appeal process. The first is the ‘re-determination’, and if that fails you can move on to an appeal. There’s more on the MyGov.Scot website.

With Housing Benefit, if you’re unhappy with a ruling, you can ask the council to review it, and appeal it at a tribunal.

And if you’re unhappy with a decision about Disabled Students’ Allowance, contact Student Finance England. You can ask for an explanation or to have your case reviewed.

How student finance affects your benefits

Any student loans or grants you receive for your full-time course could affect your benefits. Means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit and Housing Benefit, look at your income and savings. If you or your partner get student loans, grants, scholarships or bursaries, they could reduce your benefits.

Note that while student loans for maintenance count as income, loans for tuition fees do not. And not all grants count in Universal Credit income sums. Grants for tuition and exam fees, disability and childcare are not included.

Other benefits such as PIP, Attendance Allowance and DSA are not means-tested. Receiving student finance won’t affect them.

Navigating the application challenges

Common misconceptions

Here are some common myths about claiming benefits as a student:

Tips for maximising your financial support

It’s a good idea to keep checking if you qualify for any benefits. If your circumstances change – you have a baby, say, or you develop an illness – you may become eligible.

Colleges and universities often offer financial advice to help students manage money and get benefits. Have a look at our articles on budgeting and how to save money.

MoneyHelper and Citizens Advice also have useful information for students.

Student benefit FAQs

Can full-time students claim Universal Credit?

Most full-time students can’t claim Universal Credit. But there are some exceptions. These include if you have a child, are disabled or you live with your partner and they get Universal Credit.

Am I eligible for Housing Benefit?

Most students can’t make new claims for Housing Benefit. But if you already get it, you may be able to continue as a student. This includes if you have a disability or you’re a parent or foster carer.

How do disability allowances work for students?

There are a variety of disability allowances that you can claim as a student. You can get PIP, Adult Disability Payment Scotland or Attendance Allowance as a full-time student.

You cannot make a new claim for Disability Living Allowance. But, if you are already claiming it, you can continue getting it as a full-time student.

The Disabled Students’ Allowance is a grant to help cover study-related costs because of a mental health issue, long-term illness or disability. It is only for those for those living in England. The allowance is not means-tested and the amount you get depends on your needs. The maximum for 2024/25 is £26,948.

Will claiming benefits affect my student loan?

Claiming benefits does not affect your student loan. But, your student loans, grants, scholarships and bursaries can affect your means-tested benefits.

Summary: a guide to claiming benefits as a full-time student

Claiming benefits can give you some much-needed cash in your pocket, leaving you to focus on your studies. Don’t forget to look out for other student perks that could save you money or boost your income. These include the Council Tax exemption, student discounts when shopping or eating out, and grants and bursaries.