Please, please help - ex-Student seeking benefits.

welf_man

Hi - I'm a Students' Union Welfare Adviser.

If you take time out from study due to illness, but are expecting to return, you are still considered a full-time student and therefore not eligible for Income Support.

However, if you are still ill after 28 weeks and have sick notes to prove it, you qualify for a Disability Premium. This in turn allows you to claim Income Support as a disabled student, and qualifies you for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit if you are liable.

Either your Students' Union or University Advice Service should be able to help - one or both should have a copy of the CPAG guide to student benefits. If they don't ask them to contact SKILL (an organisation for students with disabilities) on your behalf to get the details.

Unfortunately the Incapacity Benefit Youth Rules do not apply if you are on a degree course (although Foundation Years may qualify), but the above DOES apply, whatever the Benefit Office tries to tell you!

Good luck -

Mel.