Newer version available

There is a newer version of this publication available:
Benefits for Students in Scotland Handbook 2023/24

Benefits and tax credits: overview

The following chart summarises the benefits and tax credits you may be able to get depending on your circumstances. In each case, there are other tests you must pass to be entitled. The page number in the last column takes you to the relevant chapter, where you will find more details about the rules of entitlement. Part 3 explains which benefits are affected by any grant or loan you get. Terms such as ‘full time’, ‘part time’ and ‘student’ are explained in each benefit chapter. Note: new claims cannot be made for income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance and tax credits, and cannot usually be made for housing benefit.

Your circumstances	Benefit or tax credit
Aged 16–18 (and some 19 year olds) in full-time further education
Have a child	Universal credit Income support Housing benefit Child benefit Child tax credit
Aged 16–20 (and some 21 year olds) in full-time further education
Orphan, estranged or separated from parents	Universal credit Income support Housing benefit
Living away from parents	Universal credit Housing benefit
Full-time student
Single	Health benefits
Lone parent of child under five	Universal credit Income support Housing benefit Child tax credit Child benefit
Student couple with a child, or lone parent	Universal credit Housing benefit Child tax credit Child benefit
Couple, one student	Universal credit Income support Jobseeker’s allowance Employment and support allowance Housing benefit Child tax credit Child benefit
Part-time student	Universal credit Income support Jobseeker’s allowance Employment and support allowance Housing benefit
Working
Under 16 hours - part-time student	Income support Jobseeker’s allowance
Under 16 hours - full-time student	Income support (if eligible)
At least 16 hours a week (24 for most couples) and have a child	Working tax credit
At least 16 hours a week and have a disability	Working tax credit
At least 30 hours a week and aged 25 or over	Working tax credit
At least 16 hours a week and aged 60 or over	Working tax credit
Any number of hours	Universal credit (if eligible)
Sick or disabled	Universal credit Employment and support allowance Housing benefit Adult disability payment Health benefits
Recovered and waiting to return to studies	Universal credit
Having a baby
Under 18	Best Start foods Best Start grant Scottish child payment
Getting certain benefits/tax credits	Best Start foods Best Start grant Scottish child payment
Working or recently working	Universal credit Maternity allowance Statutory maternity pay Statutory shared parental pay Working tax credit
When the child is born	Universal credit Child tax credit Child benefit Best Start grant Scottish child payment
Studying part time	Universal credit Income support
Partner having a baby	Statutory paternity pay Statutory shared parental pay
Adopting a child	Statutory adoption pay
Caring for someone sick or disabled
Studying part time	Carer’s allowance Universal credit Income support
Waiting to return to studies after taking time out to care	Universal credit
Need dental treatment or glasses	Health benefits
Reached pension age	Pension credit Housing benefit