can a student claim any benefits?

scotty1971

looks like i will be loosing my part-time job next week,is there any benefits i can claim as a full time student until i can get myself another part-time job,i already get a 25% discount on my council tax but don't know if there is anything else.

thanks

scott

925dancer

You are exempt from council tax as a full-time student, you need to contact the council and let them know, they'll send you a form to take to student services to be stamped and signed. If you've been paying your CT then you'll get a refund backdated I should think, that'll help!

Otherwise, if you are a single person with no kids there is nothing you can claim benefits wise.

Again, speak to student services, they will have a discretionary fund/access to learning fund that you can apply for in times of hardship, they will make an award at their discretion and you'll need to check term time opening and closing dates for applying.

scotty1971

as my wife works we only get a 25% discount

System

scotty1971 wrote: »

as my wife works we only get a 25% discount

technically it should be your wife getting the 25% discount whilst you are exempt

scotty1971

yes,that's what it is

925dancer

Ah I see, your wife and her income will make a dramatic difference to anything you can claim. She should make sure she is claiming any WTC she is entitled to.

I would think though, that if you are getting full student loan allowance and your wife working full-time, you should be able to manage in the short term and just get applying like mad for another job (I am fully aware this is easier said than done, I recently left full-time education due to financial problems).

MrsManda

As 925 said you won't be able to claim benefits as a FT student as it's doubtful you'll fall into a low income category with your student finance package.
Your wife may be able to claim benefits for you both depending on your joint income.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10034876

scotty1971

thanks for all your advice,looks like i won't be able to claim anything,just need to get on with it,my income will be £0 but my partner earns about £4300 a year,will get by somehow

925dancer

You may well be entitled to housing and council tax benefits. I don't know why you don't have student loan payments with your wife's income being so low?

Definitely speak to student services too, they will be able to point you in the direction of any funding you can get but don't know about.

MrsManda

scotty1971 wrote: »

thanks for all your advice,looks like i won't be able to claim anything,just need to get on with it,my income will be £0 but my partner earns about £4300 a year,will get by somehow

As 923 said, how can your income be £0 as a FT student?

pipscot

scotty1971 wrote: »

thanks for all your advice,looks like i won't be able to claim anything,just need to get on with it,my income will be £0 but my partner earns about £4300 a year,will get by somehow

Is there any way in which your partner could earn more - this is a very low income.
If she could increase her hours to over 30, you may get more in the way of working tax credits?

Presumably you have some loan/grant/bursary income as a student? This may well be disregarded as far a tax credits (although any adult dependent grant would not be disregarded) but will not be disregarded for council tax benefit or housing benefit.