Housing benefit/council tax query

later

Hi there

I'm currently working as an RN and I get some housing benefit and I pay council tax.

As of October, I'm going to be a student midwife, seconded by the trust, on pretty much the same salary I'm on now. Basically, I enrol at university and go full-time, and will do blocks of placements. When I was a student nurse, I was entitled to HB on the grounds that I got DSA for being deaf, however I'm not entitled to DSA this time round, because I'm seconded.

The questions I have are:
1. Would I still be entitled to Housing Benefit?
2. Would I be classed as a student for council tax exemption?

I'm struggling to interpret the law! Thanks in advance for any answers

DomRavioli

later wrote: »

Hi there

I'm currently working as an RN and I get some housing benefit and I pay council tax.

As of October, I'm going to be a student midwife, seconded by the trust, on pretty much the same salary I'm on now. Basically, I enrol at university and go full-time, and will do blocks of placements. When I was a student nurse, I was entitled to HB on the grounds that I got DSA for being deaf, however I'm not entitled to DSA this time round, because I'm seconded.

The questions I have are:
1. Would I still be entitled to Housing Benefit?
2. Would I be classed as a student for council tax exemption?

I'm struggling to interpret the law! Thanks in advance for any answers

HB is means tested - if you're earning over the threshold, you won't get any, it is a sliding scale and you would need to contact them to get a definitive answer (as each council sets their own HB/LHA rates).

If you're a full time student, then you will get council tax exemption. Again, speak to your local authority for confirmation of their rules.

Also a DSA isn't usually means tested, and based on your disability - if you have used up your DSA allowance on your first nursing degree then they may decline, but I haven't personally heard of a DSA being declined because of earnings. Again, I would ring them and get them to send their reasons and decisions in writing, then approach the NUS for advice.

later

Thanks

The reason I don't get DSA this time isn't because of my income, it's because I'm not entitled to a student bursary or loan because I'm employed.

I think you may have misunderstood the question What I'm saying is, I am entitled to HB on the salary I am on now, but as of October though I'll be on the same salary (from the NHS), I will also be a full-time student. One clause that allowed me to get it last time I was a student was that I got DSA, but I cannot get DSA this time round because I'm not entitled to a bursary or loan.

pmlindyloo

later wrote: »

Thanks

The reason I don't get DSA this time isn't because of my income, it's because I'm not entitled to a student bursary or loan because I'm employed.

I think you may have misunderstood the question What I'm saying is, I am entitled to HB on the salary I am on now, but as of October though I'll be on the same salary (from the NHS), I will also be a full-time student. One clause that allowed me to get it last time I was a student was that I got DSA, but I cannot get DSA this time round because I'm not entitled to a bursary or loan.

If I have understood correctly I think you are saying that last time you got HB because although you were a full time student you were receiving SDA which made you eligible for HB? (usually full time students are not eligible for HB)

Do you meet any of the other criteria for claiming HB as a full time student? Do you receive a disability premium with your current HB?

Link about the criteria:

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/what_is_housing_benefit/housing_benefit_for_students

missbiggles1

I can't see that you'll be able to get both HB and a student exemption from council tax because the condition for the first is that you aren't a student and the condition for the second is that you are.

pmlindyloo

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I can't see that you'll be able to get both HB and a student exemption from council tax because the condition for the first is that you aren't a student and the condition for the second is that you are.

Not true.

You can get HB as a full time student but only under certain conditions (see my link)
If OP meets these conditions then she is still as student and would meet the criteria for council tax exemption.

later

Hello. Just in case anybody was wondering, I am entitled to both the council tax exemption and the housing benefit on the grounds that I'm working.