Higher education maintenance grant
The higher education maintenance grant for full-time undergraduate students who do not have a benefits claim in their own right, and the adult dependants’ grant paid by the Department for Education, the Welsh government or the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland, are taken into account over the duration of the course, whether it comprises 52 weeks or fewer. They are treated as income over the same period as the student loan, if you have one or are eligible for one.
1IS Reg 62(3B) IS Regs
JSA Reg 131(5A) JSA Regs
ESA Reg 132(6) ESA Regs
HB Reg 59(7) HB Regs This is the case even though government guidance says that such grants cover 52 weeks.
Example
Rob lives in Wales and receives a student loan of £4,675 and a maintenance grant of £8,100 to do his full-time undergraduate degree in Cardiff. This is his second year and his first term begins on Monday 27 September 2021. Rob lives with his partner, Dylan, and their two children. Dylan is getting JSA and his benefit week starts on a Thursday. The special support element (£5,161) of Rob’s grant is ignored, while Rob’s student loan and the remainder of Rob’s maintenance grant (£2,939) are taken into account when working out Dylan’s JSA. His student loan and maintenance grant are divided over the 43 weeks from Thursday 2 September 2021 to Wednesday 29 June 2022. From Thursday 2 September 2021 to Wednesday 29 June 2022, his student loan and grant income are included in the calculation to determine the amount of JSA Dylan receives. From Thursday 30 June until Wednesday 31 August 2022, his student loan and grant income is nil again for benefit purposes.