Student Benefit. Does anyone have experience of claiming UC as a disabled student?

pkeith95

Hello,  I am a full time student at University, I wonder if anyone has had any experience of claiming Universal Credit as a disabled student?

Is it possible? a nightmare?

poppy123456

Full time students are unable to claim UC unless they have already been found to have Limited capability for work before the course started. This also applies to disabled students. Full details here. https://askcpag.org.uk/content/207854/universal-credit-and-disabled-students-an-update

Most students receive students loans, are you not claiming this?

pkeith95

Hi Poppy, Thank you for your reply. Yes I am getting my student loan, I am just looking into cost of living and what extra help there might be.

Thank you again.

PJ

Grizzy77

Hi pkeith95, 
I am a full-time student in receipt of a postgraduate master's loan and I get universal credit (I've just received my first payment). You might be able to claim universal credit because there are some exceptions for students. You can claim if:

• You are under 21, taking  a course that leads to a qualification at the same level as or below A levels (such as Scottish Highers, National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) up to level 3) and you do not and cannot live with your parents; or
• You are responsible for a child; or
• You get Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment or Child Disability Payment and you have limited capability for work. (This can be complicated. Use our Find an Adviser tool to find a local adviser); or
• You are over Pension Credit age; or
• You live with a partner who can claim Universal Credit; or
• You have taken time out from your course for illness or caring responsibilities, are now recovered/your caring responsibilities have ended, and you are waiting to go back to your course.

In my case I have children and my partner can claim UC (we are claiming as a couple). I am not required to look for work or do any work-related activities. Hope that helps.

poppy123456

Grizzy77 said:

In my case I have children and my partner can claim UC (we are claiming as a couple). I am not required to look for work or do any work-related activities. Hope that helps.

That will be because you live with a partner and have children on your claim. If you're receiving a maintenance loan are UC aware of this? It will be counted as income and affect your entitlement.

Tori_Scope

Hi @pkeith95 Are you enjoying your studies?

Have you looked into claiming the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA), or PIP? 

poppy123456

poppy123456 said:

Full time students are unable to claim UC unless they have already been found to have Limited capability for work before the course started. This also applies to disabled students. Full details here. https://askcpag.org.uk/content/207854/universal-credit-and-disabled-students-an-update

Most students receive students loans, are you not claiming this?

I should have included "if you are single with no dependant children" in this advice. Apologies for not doing this.

Grizzy77

Hi Poppy,
I get a postgraduate loan, unlike the undergraduate student loan, it includes both maintenance and tuition fees. UC does take a percentage of it into account when calculating our entitlement.