Universal Credit/Student eductions

usermammy1969

Hi,
Can anyone advise me about UC as a student?
I am a single parent and a student nurse so qualify for UC. I get a student nurse bursary through SAAS (award agency for Scotland) and at the beginning of my course in Sep I received a bursary payment plus a one off payment (entirely separate to the bursary) of £60 for equipment expenses. I have advised and submitted my monthly bursary payment to UC but they are taking £40 more than I get off of my UC every month. I have asked them to reconsider this decision as GOV.UK states that it is the exact amount you receive that is deducted every month but they keep fobbing me off- has anyone else experienced issues with UC as a student?

huckster

How much is the bursary ?

Start month of course ?

End month of course ?

With UC, the net student finance to cover living costs is divided by number of months the course runs for, less £110 disallowance for each month.

calcotti

There’s guidance here although I don't think either offer any insight into what is happening based on the information you have provided
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-students
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Student-income-Universal-Credit

usermammy1969

Hi,
I receive an NHS Bursary of £506 per month over 13 payments and, after the disregard, I calculated that the amount to be taken into account by UC should be £396. UC are deducting £547.80 and just keep saying that their calculations are correct. I've tried to tell them that they are wrong but it's like talking to myself! It's quite a difference when you're trying to manage and have 2 disabled kids (sorry- should have said that I'm on a three year Nursing course)

calcotti

You are not getting £506/month if you get 13 payments, you are getting £506 every 4 weeks. UC has to convert this to a monthly amount. What they have done is take 506 x 13 and then divided it by 12 to arrive at a monthly amount of £548.

They haven’t applied any disregard that may apply - that’s what you need to ask them about.

usermammy1969

I think I am confused because GOV.UK clearly states that the assessment is worked out from "The actual amount you get in a month less a set amount for expenses". I don't get £548- I get £506 every month then 2 payments in August.
It just seems unfair that I'm getting assessed on an amount that I don't actually receive. I've asked for it to go the decision maker

calcotti

usermammy1969 wrote: »

I think I am confused because GOV.UK clearly states that the assessment is worked out from "The actual amount you get in a month less a set amount for expenses". I don't get £548- I get £506 every month then 2 payments in August.
It just seems unfair that I'm getting assessed on an amount that I don't actually receive. I've asked for it to go the decision maker

See DWP guidance https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/787443/admh6.pdf

Paragraph H6140 onwards.

The guidance here appears to indicate averaging rather than actual monthly receipt contrary to the page you have highlighted.

Overall it is unlikely to make any difference to the total amount of UC you receive. If you are due to get two payments this month you simply need to budget so that the ‘extra’ payment is kept for spending spread over the next 12 months.