Benefits
How does studying part-time affect your benefits?
If you are currently eligible for certain income-related benefits you may still be entitled to them when you become a part-time or distance learning student. However the benefits regulations may define part-time study in a different way than your college.
For example, for a number of benefits including income support, you are classed as studying part-time in Further Education if, generally:
- your course is 21 hours or less a week, including structured study time, and you're over 19; or
- your course is 12 hours or less a week during term time, and you are under 19 (19-year-olds who started the course when they were under 19 also come into this category).
It is important to discuss this with your college or university student adviser as well as the local Jobcentre Plus office.
If you're out of work and studying part-time you may still qualify for Jobseeker's Allowance, as long as your course is part-time according to the rules above, and you can show that you're still available for work. Check this with your local Jobcentre Plus office. You may be asked to complete a student questionnaire and bring along a Learning Agreement from the college and have it authorised by the Job Centre.
Generally payments you receive that are for course-related costs, such as tuition fees paid through an ILA, equipment, travel, books, photocopying, childcare and so on, will not affect your benefits.
Any payments you receive from Discretionary Funds will not be taken into account unless the payment is towards general living costs, and even then some or all of it may be disregarded.
You can find more details about your benefit entitlements from your local Jobcentre Plus office, your college or university, the Open University in Scotland, your distance learning provider, the National Union of Students or from the website http://scottishhandbooks.cpag.org.uk
Tax Credits
If you are a student with dependent children you are entitled to claim Child Tax Credit from HM Revenue & Customs ( HMRC). You may be entitled to extra amounts if you have a disabled child. If you receive the highest amount of Child Tax Credit you are entitled to free school meals for your children (but not if you or your partner receives Working Tax Credit). Contact your local education authority for more details on how to apply for free school meals.
If you are disabled or you have children and work 16 hours or more a week, you could also be eligible for Working Tax Credit, which provides extra money for people in work on a low income. If you are over 25, work at least 30 hours a week and are on a low income you may also be entitled to Working Tax Credit.
How much help you get depends on your circumstances. To find out more, visit www.hmrc.gov.uk or call the Tax Credit Information Line on 0845 300 3900. For more information about how tax affects students, visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/students. You can also drop into your local HMRC Enquiry Centre (listed under Inland Revenue or HMRC in the local phone book).
Housing Benefit
This helps you with the cost of your rent if you're on a low income. Part-time students who meet the basic rules for housing benefit can claim. For further information on whether you qualify visit http://scottishhandbooks.cpag.org.uk. Your local council will also advise you and provide you with application forms.
Benefits Information
For more information contact your local Jobcentre Plus office, your college or university student adviser or your local Citizens Advice Bureau or visit http://scottishhandbooks.
cpag.org.uk