Full-time students

Most full-time students are excluded from benefits, mainly those benefits where entitlement relies on a means test. There is one definition of ‘full-time student’ used for income-related employment and support allowance and housing benefit. Other definitions are used for universal credit (UC), carer support payment, new-style jobseeker’s allowance and for council tax. Some students, however, can claim means-tested benefits despite being classed as full time. If you are excluded from one benefit, do not therefore assume that you are excluded from all of them. Who counts as a ‘full-time student’, or as ‘receiving education’ for UC, is explained in detail in the relevant chapters.