Government benefits
Home Students
Although most full-time higher education students are not entitled to receive means-tested benefits, certain student groups may be eligible to make a claim. As a general guide, Home students may be able to receive means-tested benefits if they:
- are a lone parent
- have a partner who is also a student - and one or both of you are responsible for a child
- have a disability, and qualify for the disability premium, severe disability premium or income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Benefits for student spouses
If you have a partner who is not a student and they’re eligible for any means-tested benefits, your partner can claim on behalf of you both, however you should note that any student support may be taken into account as income.
You or your partner may also be entitled to other benefits such as Child Benefit, tax credits and the range of disability benefits. Please visit the Directgov website for further information on eligibility.
Intermitting students
Students who withdraw from their course temporarily and expect to return to their studies at a future date, may still be able to claim benefits if they are one of the following groups:
- are a lone parent
- have a student partner and a child, and it is the summer vacation
- have a disability
- have intermitted due to illness and have now recovered
- have intermitted due to caring responsibilities which have now ended
Intermitting students should therefore consult the Directgov website for information on their benefits entitlement.
Health Service Benefits
The NHS charges for the cost of some items and services. However, you may qualify, on status or low-income grounds for free or reduced rate prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests, glasses and other treatments and services. Information can be found on the NHS website.
European Economic Area (EEA) students
Students from the EEA are not prevented from claiming benefits, however, the Benefits Agency will need establish that a claimant is habitually resident in the UK. If your main reason for being in the UK is for study purposes, you may not be eligible to receive benefits; however the rules for residency vary widely depending on the benefit you are applying for. Please visit the Directgov website to find out more information about the terms of each individual benefit.
Overseas students
The majority of Overseas students will have student status through UK immigration and will therefore not usually be able to access public funds. The UK Immigration Rules for students state that you must be able to meet the costs of your course and accommodation and maintain yourself and any family members in the UK without having 'recourse to public funds'.
However, if there is a temporary disruption to your funds from abroad, there is some limited provision available but only for certain benefits. For further information and advice about your eligibility, we recommend that you visit the website for the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA), the UK’s national advisory body which assists international students.
Useful contacts
If you would like to discuss your benefits entitlement further please contact the VP Welfare and Equal Opportunities on welfare@ousu.org at the Student Union or email the Oxford Citizens Advice Bureau to arrange an appointment at oxfordcab@cabnet.org.uk