5. Claiming income support

New claims for income support can no longer be made.

Getting paid

Payment is usually made directly into your bank or building society. Which account it goes into is up to you. If you do not want your benefit to go into an account that is already overdrawn, give the DWP details of an alternative account if you have access to, or can open, one. If you do not have an account, you are usually expected to open one with a bank or building society .

If your claim is refused

Your claim may be unsuccessful for a variety of reasons, including if your student income is too high to qualify. However, you might find that you qualify in the long vacation because of the way your grant and loan are divided up through the year. So if you are turned down, claim again as soon as you think you might qualify (provided you are eligible to make a new claim - see here).