Year off Uni through illness, benefits?

M.E.

Daughter has had to defer her final year at Uni because she has glandular fever.
Would she be entitled to any benefits whilst she is ill.. likely to be three months.
Hopefully she will find employment in her Scottish Uni town for the rest of the year, to pay for her flat.
Are Scottish benefits different from English ones?

Zara33

M.E. wrote: »

Daughter has had to defer her final year at Uni because she has glandular fever.
Would she be entitled to any benefits whilst she is ill.. likely to be three months.
Hopefully she will find employment in her Scottish Uni town for the rest of the year, to pay for her flat.
Are Scottish benefits different from English ones?

Benefits are benefits

Not sure here she might be able to claim Income support as she is ill.

amiehall

Yes she's probably entitled to some benefits, although beware, she's also likely to be liable for council tax over the period her studies are suspended as well! I'd get in touch with your local jobcentre.

dmg24

amiehall wrote: »

Yes she's probably entitled to some benefits, although beware, she's also likely to be liable for council tax over the period her studies are suspended as well! I'd get in touch with your local jobcentre.

Probably?

M.E., your daughter's eligibility to benefits will depend on whether the university deem her to still be a student or not. If she is, then she will not be eligible for benefits, if she is not, then she will be eligible to apply for ESA and help with housing costs. I would discuss this with the university before applying for benefits.

amiehall

dmg24 wrote: »

Probably?

Sorry, I'll be clearer. I suspended my studies at university and was officially a non-student during this period. As such I had to pay council tax but would also have been eligible for benefits.

As you've rightly identified, if the university have kept the student on but given them zero attendance requirements because of illness, they're not liable for tax, nor can they receive benefits. It's all to do with a technicality in status.