postgraduate loan income and UC..while on LCWRA

filifou

Hi everyone,

I’m on Universal Credit with LCWRA (no work-related requirements) and I receive PIP. I’m currently doing a part-time postgraduate master’s degree and I receive a postgraduate master’s loan.

DWP are counting 30% of my maximum postgraduate loan as maintenance income in my UC award, and this has been upheld after Mandatory Reconsideration.

I have been looking at Regulation 89 of the Universal Credit Regulations 2013, which states (in relation to claimants subject to no work-related requirements):

a claimant is not to be treated as having student income where that income is a postgraduate master’s degree loan and the course is not a full-time course.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/743/regulation/6/made

I just wanted to ask:

• How is Regulation 89 being applied in practice for people on LCWRA?
• How is “not a full-time course” interpreted for postgraduate study in UC?
• Does Regulation 89 mean the postgraduate master’s loan should not be treated as student income in these circumstances?

Any insight or experiences would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Mary_Scope

Hi @filifou

Universal credit and studying/student loans can be really complex so it would be better to contact the Disabled Students Helpline as they are in specifically trained in this area and can give your specific advice and information around this😊