× Search rightsnet
Search options

Where

Benefit

Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction

From

to

Forum Home  →  Discussion  →  Covid-19 issues  →  Thread

Students and UC - temporary easement- any news?

Glenys
forum member

Housing Systems, Leeds

Send message

Total Posts: 206

Joined: 23 June 2010

In a parliamentary answer to this question:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her policy to allow students in further and higher education to apply for Universal Credit during months when they are not in receipt of (a) grants or (b) loans from relevant awards agencies or loans companies.
Will Quince replied:
Most students in full-time education do not qualify for Universal Credit (UC) unless an exception applies.

Under covid-19 regulations, those who do not receive student finance and who would ordinarily not have entitlement to UC, such as those undertaking a part-time course which would otherwise not be considered as compatible with the requirements for them to look for and be available for work, will have entitlement to UC. The DWP Secretary of State and Chief Secretary to the Treasury have agreed to dis-apply UC and both legacy and new style JSA work preparation, work search and availability requirements and related sanctions. This will initially be for a three-month period which commenced on the 30th March. After three months, consideration will be given as to whether a further extension is required.
https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-05-20/49724/

So this to me sounds like the temporary easement on these students is linked to the suspension of work related requirements, which has now been lifted.

Anyone heard anything different? Any thoughts?
Thanks