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Students
I am a student can I claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit?
Most students in full-time higher education cannot claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit. In general a full time student is one attending a course that involves 16 hours or more of guided learning per week. If you are doubtful about whether your course is full-time or part-time, please consult your educational establishment for further advice.
Tell me about students who can claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit
The following categories of students may be able to claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit -
- Non-student partners of students.
- Students who are under 19 years old, and who are following a course of further education. As soon as a student in this category reaches age 19 they are no longer entitled to HB under this provision.
- Couples who are both students and have dependant children.
- Lone parents or Lone Foster parents.
- Disabled Students who receive the Disability Premium and/or Severe Disability Allowance and/or Long term Incapacity Benefit.
- Disabled Students who qualify for Disabled Students Allowance on account of their deafness.
- Students who are in receipt of Income Support or Income Based Jobseekers Allowance.
- Pensioners who receive the Pensioner Premium.
- Part-time Students. A part-time course involves less than 16 hours of guided learning per week.
- Students who have been incapable for work for 28 weeks or more.
- Intercalating Students. These are students who have interrupted their studies because they are recovering from illness or have been caring for someone else, and have not yet recommenced their studies.
Alternative Maximum Council Tax Benefit and Students
Prior to 31 March 2006, a property was exempt from Council Tax where everyone living in that property was a full-time student. Full-time students are not eligible for social security benefits, including Council Tax Benefit, unless they fall fall into one of the categories above. However, if a non-student moves in, the property is no longer exempt and the householder becomes liable for Council Tax. The householder student is not eligible for Council Tax Benefit, but can claim Alternative Maximum Council Tax Benefit (AMCTB), i.e. Second Adult Rebate.
On Friday 31 March 2006 the regulations were amended to provide that, where a dwelling is occupied by a student or students and one or more people in receipt of Income Support, Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, the Alternative Maximum Council Tax Benefit (Second Adult Rebate) will be 100%, thereby giving a nil balance for Council Tax.
Special Note for Overseas Students
Overseas full-time students may only claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit if they are in one of the above groups, and satisfy the Habitual Residence Test and the Immigration Status Test.
Overseas students may be able to get Income Support in certain circumstances, at a reduced rate and for a limited period, particularly if they are experiencing difficulties receiving funds from abroad.
Where can I get more information?
If you have any further enquiries about Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, visit to Points of Contact for Benefits Help.
In addition, the Council Tax web pages have a section providing information for students, go to Students and Council Tax.
More specialist advice for students is available from the University of Sheffield Student Services Information Desk and Sheffield Hallam University - Hallam Union Advice Centre.
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