UC PIP and students

Mory

I have just migrated from ESA to UC and will have LCW.  I also recieve PIP.
I had been hoping to do a foundation degree possibly next year - 2026.  If I feel able enough.  
I just wanted to know what would happen if I embarked on a degree with PIP in place which would allow me to continue claiming some UC (I realise maintaince loans would be deducted from this) but I then lost my PIP award at some point during the course.  I'm thinking about the changes to PIP which may come next year.   Would losing PIP after starting the course mean I automatically lose being able to calim some UC as a student? 

HillStreetBlues

Mory said:

I have just migrated from ESA to UC and will have LCW.  I also recieve PIP.
I had been hoping to do a foundation degree possibly next year - 2026.  If I feel able enough.  
I just wanted to know what would happen if I embarked on a degree with PIP in place which would allow me to continue claiming some UC (I realise maintaince loans would be deducted from this) but I then lost my PIP award at some point during the course.  I'm thinking about the changes to PIP which may come next year.   Would losing PIP after starting the course mean I automatically lose being able to calim some UC as a student? 

At the moment they are only proposed changes and  if they do come into affect it would be at your next reassessment.

Mory

HillStreetBlues said:

Mory said:

I have just migrated from ESA to UC and will have LCW.  I also recieve PIP.
I had been hoping to do a foundation degree possibly next year - 2026.  If I feel able enough.  
I just wanted to know what would happen if I embarked on a degree with PIP in place which would allow me to continue claiming some UC (I realise maintaince loans would be deducted from this) but I then lost my PIP award at some point during the course.  I'm thinking about the changes to PIP which may come next year.   Would losing PIP after starting the course mean I automatically lose being able to calim some UC as a student? 

At the moment they are only proposed changes and  if they do come into affect it would be at your next reassessment.

Yes.  I realise they are not yet set in stone.  But I suspect they will be.  However my next reassesment will be 2026/27 whether or not the changes take place there is always a chance of losing pip.  I scored 8 - so only just enough points. 
I just wondered what occurs if you lose your pip award whilst on a degree course. 

powerspowers

Hi Hill st blues, I don’t know the answer to your question but don’t let “what ifs” stop you doing your course. Universities have support for students in financial difficulties and in my experience were very helpful in supporting me to continue my course when my financial situation changed. 

HillStreetBlues

Mory said:

HillStreetBlues said:

Mory said:

I have just migrated from ESA to UC and will have LCW.  I also recieve PIP.
I had been hoping to do a foundation degree possibly next year - 2026.  If I feel able enough.  
I just wanted to know what would happen if I embarked on a degree with PIP in place which would allow me to continue claiming some UC (I realise maintaince loans would be deducted from this) but I then lost my PIP award at some point during the course.  I'm thinking about the changes to PIP which may come next year.   Would losing PIP after starting the course mean I automatically lose being able to calim some UC as a student? 

At the moment they are only proposed changes and  if they do come into affect it would be at your next reassessment.

Yes.  I realise they are not yet set in stone.  But I suspect they will be.  However my next reassesment will be 2026/27 whether or not the changes take place there is always a chance of losing pip.  I scored 8 - so only just enough points. 
I just wondered what occurs if you lose your pip award whilst on a degree course. 

The rule is you need to have PIP in place before you start the course, I'm not aware of any rule that withdraws UC is PIP is lost.

NedS

HillStreetBlues said:

Mory said:

HillStreetBlues said:

Mory said:

I have just migrated from ESA to UC and will have LCW.  I also recieve PIP.
I had been hoping to do a foundation degree possibly next year - 2026.  If I feel able enough.  
I just wanted to know what would happen if I embarked on a degree with PIP in place which would allow me to continue claiming some UC (I realise maintaince loans would be deducted from this) but I then lost my PIP award at some point during the course.  I'm thinking about the changes to PIP which may come next year.   Would losing PIP after starting the course mean I automatically lose being able to calim some UC as a student? 

At the moment they are only proposed changes and  if they do come into affect it would be at your next reassessment.

Yes.  I realise they are not yet set in stone.  But I suspect they will be.  However my next reassesment will be 2026/27 whether or not the changes take place there is always a chance of losing pip.  I scored 8 - so only just enough points. 
I just wondered what occurs if you lose your pip award whilst on a degree course. 

The rule is you need to have PIP in place before you start the course, I'm not aware of any rule that withdraws UC is PIP is lost.

I'm not sure, but I would think eligibility would end if the PIP award ends. At the end of the AP, would they still be eligible to claim UC as a student without a PIP award?

I know the rules for this are somewhat complex, and I'm not able to check, but I think a definitive answer on this would be useful.

RAS

Mory said:

HillStreetBlues said:

Mory said:

I have just migrated from ESA to UC and will have LCW.  I also recieve PIP.
I had been hoping to do a foundation degree possibly next year - 2026.  If I feel able enough.  
I just wanted to know what would happen if I embarked on a degree with PIP in place which would allow me to continue claiming some UC (I realise maintaince loans would be deducted from this) but I then lost my PIP award at some point during the course.  I'm thinking about the changes to PIP which may come next year.   Would losing PIP after starting the course mean I automatically lose being able to calim some UC as a student? 

At the moment they are only proposed changes and  if they do come into affect it would be at your next reassessment.

Yes.  I realise they are not yet set in stone.  But I suspect they will be.  However my next reassesment will be 2026/27 whether or not the changes take place there is always a chance of losing pip.  I scored 8 - so only just enough points. 
I just wondered what occurs if you lose your pip award whilst on a degree course. 

If you are planning to go to university, speak in advance to Student Welfare there as they will have experience of helping students with this issue.

Just don't expect them to second guess what might happen if the rules are changed. But most changes in rules in the UK are notified well in advance.

HillStreetBlues

NedS said:

HillStreetBlues said:

Mory said:

HillStreetBlues said:

Mory said:

I have just migrated from ESA to UC and will have LCW.  I also recieve PIP.
I had been hoping to do a foundation degree possibly next year - 2026.  If I feel able enough.  
I just wanted to know what would happen if I embarked on a degree with PIP in place which would allow me to continue claiming some UC (I realise maintaince loans would be deducted from this) but I then lost my PIP award at some point during the course.  I'm thinking about the changes to PIP which may come next year.   Would losing PIP after starting the course mean I automatically lose being able to calim some UC as a student? 

At the moment they are only proposed changes and  if they do come into affect it would be at your next reassessment.

Yes.  I realise they are not yet set in stone.  But I suspect they will be.  However my next reassesment will be 2026/27 whether or not the changes take place there is always a chance of losing pip.  I scored 8 - so only just enough points. 
I just wondered what occurs if you lose your pip award whilst on a degree course. 

The rule is you need to have PIP in place before you start the course, I'm not aware of any rule that withdraws UC is PIP is lost.

I'm not sure, but I would think eligibility would end if the PIP award ends. At the end of the AP, would they still be eligible to claim UC as a student without a PIP award?

I know the rules for this are somewhat complex, and I'm not able to check, but I think a definitive answer on this would be useful.

I'm not certain by any means, but couldn't find anything that would say it would be stopped.
I do wonder a firm date, eg if you are awarded PIP after start date that's too late.

Mory

Thanks for all the replies   

I couldn't get a definite answer anywhere.  So emailed disabilty rights students helpline in the end.  Seems UC does stop if you lose PIP and don't meet any other eligbility.  Seems if you lose LCW/LCWRA aswell you lose UC.  There reply in full was: 

Thanks for contacting the Disability Rights UK student helpline.  

Under current rules, full-time students can claim UC if they:

·  Receive PIP (or DLA), and

·  Have LCW or LCWRA determination prior to starting the course.

As you meet the above conditions, you would be eligible for UC if you start a course based on current rules.

If your PIP is stopped mid course, you will lose eligibility for UC as a full-time student, unless you fall into another exception category, for example you are responsible for a child.

Continuing UC entitlement as a student hinges on getting PIP and LCW/LCWRA. If one disappears you no longer meet the conditions for UC as a student.

The Special Support Element of the maintenance loan is awarded if you receive certain benefits which include PIP. So, if you lost PIP, you could lose the special support element too – unless you were to meet one of other eligibility criteria for it.

You mentioned concern about upcoming PIP reforms. As of now no confirmed changes to eligibility or structure have been passed into law. Any changes would likely go through consultation, legislation, and implementation — which can take months or years.

So while it’s wise to stay aware of potential reforms, there’s no reason at this point to assume your PIP will be stopped purely due to policy changes — especially if your needs haven’t changed.

You should take advice closer to the time when you start study in case the benefit rules change between now and then.

NedS

The proposed changes to UC (no consideration of LCW/LCWRA for under 22YOs and subsequent removal of WCA completely) will either remove the disabled student exception or the UC regulations will need to be rewritten to accommodate.

As this is an area that has already been progressively tightened (i.e, the direction of policy travel is clear), I strongly suspect this route to UC eligibility will be closed for future disabled students. If disabled students need additional assistance, this will be met by PIP alone, in addition to the regular grants, loans and bursaries that are already in place.