Over 16 in full time education
There are three main types of full-time education:
- You are aged under 19 and attending a full-time (more than 12 hours) non-advanced course (e.g. GCSEs, A-levels, NVQ levels 1-3, National or BTEC Diploma)
- You are a full-time student aged under 19 on a full-time (typically 16 hours of guided learning a week but the rules can vary) advanced course (e.g. degree, HND, diploma of higher education)
- You are aged 19 or over and on any full-time course (typically 16 hours or more guided learning a week, but the rules can vary)
Generally if you are in full time education you cannot claim the following benefits:
However, some full time students can claim Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit in certain circumstances e.g.
- You are under 19 and a parent
- You are under 19 and estranged from your parents, or you are an orphan, or you have left local authority care and have to live away from your parents or anyone acting in their place.
- You are a lone parent
- You are disabled
- You are a refugee learning English
This list is not exhaustive. If you think that any of these circumstances apply to you, get advice.
Any income you receive to support your study such as grants or student loans may be taken into account when claiming benefits. The rules are complex and you should get detailed advice.
The Benefits Maximisation Service can provide personal advice on what you may be entitled to and help you make a claim. For more information go to Benefits Maximisation Service.
Disclaimer
Although every effort is made to ensure the information on these pages is accurate and up to date, it should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law.