Benefit/Reduction information for Students

If you are a student, you may be able to claim housing benefit and council tax reduction.

For the purposes of Housing Benefit/Council Tax Reduction, a student is anyone attending a study course at an educational establishment. This means studies at all levels, including:

• School-based study;
• Full or part-time students;
• Students receiving loans;
• Students on courses at a state or private college.

Criteria

1. Council Tax exemptions:
   • If you are a full-time student, you may be exempt from council tax, even if you would otherwise be liable to pay it;
   • If you are a full-time student and you live in a property with somebody else who is solely liable for council tax, they can claim a 25% reduction in the tax.
2. Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction
   Students can claim housing benefit and council tax reduction if they fall into one of the categories listed below:
   • Receiving Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income-related Employment Support Allowance;
   • Part-time;
   • Under 21 and on a course up to A-level standard;
   • Aged 60 or over;
   • Responsible for a child or young person (i.e. receiving Child Benefit);
   • Responsible for a foster child;
   • Responsible for children boarded with a local authority or voluntary organisation;
   • Receiving certain disability benefits;
   • Receiving a grant assessment allowance for deafness, even if you only get grant fees.

Students' partners who are not students themselves may also claim for the couple.

Overseas students

If you are from abroad, you should ask us about possible help with rent and council tax payments. There is no automatic right to benefits for overseas students - it depends on your particular circumstances.

How to apply

Find out more about how to apply for Housing Benefit/Council Tax Reduction on the How to Claim page.