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  5. Can students claim?
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Can students claim?

information on which students can claim.

You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if you meet one of the following criteria: 

  • You are single and of state pension credit qualifying age, or
  • Part of a couple and are both of state pension credit qualifying age, or
  • Part of a couple and been continuously receiving Pension Credit since at least 14/05/19. Find your State Pension Credit qualifying age Opens in a new window.
  • Live in supported accommodation
  • Have been placed in temporary accommodation by the Local Authority

If not you need to claim Universal Credit Opens in a new window for help with paying your rent.

Most full time students can’t get Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support.

A full-time student is someone who is studying at college or university for 16 hours per week or more.

There are some exceptions:

  • Lone-parent and lone foster parent students
  • Student couples with children
  • A student with a partner who is not a student - the partner must make the claim
  • Pension age students or a student with a partner who is pension age
  • Disabled students
  • Students who get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Students aged under 22 studying up to and including GCE 'A' Level or BTEC National Diploma or National Certificate
  • Students whose course has been interrupted because of illness or they are caring for someone

If you are a student that can claim will need to complete the online application, a student details form and provide proof of any student income that you have such as grants and loans.

  Student Details Form

If you are a full time student and are not entitled to Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support, you may be entitled to a reduction in council tax.

This page was last updated on 06/10/2025 14:21:47

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