Benefit/Reduction information for students

Eligibility for Housing Benefit

If you are a full-time student under pension age, you may qualify for help with your rent, but you should make a claim for Universal Credit, unless you are living in temporary or supported accommodation.

For more details, read about Universal Credit: Eligibility - GOV.UK (this page will open in a new window).

To apply for Universal Credit, visit Universal Credit: How to claim - GOV.UK (this page will open in a new window).

If you and your partner (if you have one) are both over the state pension age or you are working age and live in temporary or supported accommodation you may qualify for help with your rent (Housing Benefit).

This is if you fall into one of these categories:

you receive Universal Credit, Income Support, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance (Income related)
students who count as part-time
students under 21 not in higher education (the course must have started before you turned 19)
students under 20 on non-advanced course of full-time education - or approved training which started/you enrolled on before you turned 19
students who are pension age
students who qualify for a disability or severe disability premium
lone parent
student couples with dependent children
you are solely responsible for a child aged under 19 and following a course of further education

Criteria

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.

Council Tax Reduction:

Students can claim council tax reduction if they fall into one of the categories listed below:

Receiving Universal Credit, 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.

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.