Can I claim if I am a student?

Most students cannot claim Housing Benefit as the Government expects them to use other money like grants, student loans or access funds to pay their rent.  However the following students may be able to claim if any of the following circumstances apply:

• All students who are currently receiving income support or income-based Jobseekers  allowance
• All part-time students
• Students under 19 not in higher education
• Students aged 60 or over, or whose partner is over 60
• Students (couples or lone parents) who are responsible for a child or young person
• Students who are responsible for a foster child
• Students who qualify for a disability premium because they:
  • Are registered or certified blind
  • Ceased to be registered or certified blind within the previous 28 weeks
  • Receive Disability Living Allowance
• Students who do not get incapacity benefit but have been incapable of work for 28 weeks or more
• Students whose grant assessment includes a disabled student’s allowance for deafness, even if they get a grant for fees only
• Certain students who were absent due to illness or because they were providing care for another person

If you are a couple, eligibility will depend on whether or not you are both students. If you are both students you will not be eligible for benefit unless either or both of you fall into one or more of the above categories. In this case the person classed as the eligible student should make the claim for benefit. If only one of you is a student, then generally the non-student should make the claim for benefit.