Universal Credit
Universal credit is a monthly payment from the government to help with your living costs. Most full-time medical students can’t claim universal credit. The financial support you receive through grants and student loans is a replacement for these benefits and this would be considered as student income in a universal credit assessment.
However there are some exceptions to this rule, and you may still be eligible for universal credit if:
- You are aged 21 or under, in full time non-advanced education with no parental support
- You are responsible for a child
- You live with a partner and they are eligible for universal credit
- You have reached the qualifying age for pension credit and live with a partner under that age
- You have a disability, have been assessed as having limited capability for work and are in receipt of one or more of the below
– Personal Independence Payment
– Disability Living Allowance
– Child Disability Payment in Scotland
– Attendance Allowance
– Armed Forces Independence Payment
For universal credit you’re counted as being a full-time student from the first day of your course until the last day of the course in your final academic year, including all the vacations, unless you abandon the course or are dismissed from it. This includes periods during which you have resits.
You may be eligible for universal credit if you are studying part-time and available for work.
You can find full details on student eligibility for universal credit on the Gov website.
The Turn2us website gives information about student eligibility for universal credit and top tips on how to apply.
Related articles
- Benefits and tax credits overview
- Child benefit and tax credits
- How to claim benefits
- Benefits and tax credits: helpful organisations
- Help with health costs
- What to do after your course has finished