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Students and Benefits

Most students do not qualify for benefits but there are some exempt groups including lone parent students, student couples with children and disabled students who may qualify depending on their income. Some may qualify in the summer vacation but not in term-time. This can be a complicated area of student funding. Please speak to an Ask adviser, the Student Finance Officer or Sarah Lockwood in the Student Advisory and Counselling Service.

Tax Credits

A new system of Tax Credits was introduced by the government in April 2003. Please contact Ask for information or pick up a copy of the Ask Guide to Tax Credits .

Child Tax Credit (CTC)

This is a means-tested credit for families with responsibility for children (aged under 16 or under 19 and in full-time non-advanced education) whether or not they are in work. This is incredibly important for students with children as almost all of you (with the exception of those with very high family income) will qualify for at least the basic rate and if you have a baby under a year you will qualify for even more. We have very many forms available in both Ask offices and the Student Finance Office.
If you have not already applied please do so as soon as possible. Claims can only be back-dated for a maximum of three months so the longer you delay the more money you are missing out on. You can check your entitlement and apply online at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/taxcredits

Working Tax Credit (WTC)

A means-tested credit for working people on a low income People in "qualifying remunerative work" can access WTC in one of four ways.

1. Be aged at least 16 working at least 16 hours per week and responsible for a child under 16 or a young person aged under 19 in full time education.
2. Be aged at least 16, working at least 16 hours per week and have a disability that puts the claimant at a disadvantage in getting a job.
3. Be aged at least 25 and working 30 hours or more per week.
4. Be aged 50 or over and working 16 hours or more hours per week. The work must have started in the last 3 months and prior to that the claimant must have been getting Income Support, Job Seekers' Allowance or Incapacity Benefit for at least 6 months before starting work.
   Remember this is means-tested and not everyone will qualify. If you are a student with a working partner or you are a Lone Parent student who works at least 16 hours per week you may qualify.

Remember, too, just because you don't qualify in term-time, you may qualify in the summer vacation depending on your working circumstances at the time. You can check your entitlement and apply online at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/taxcredits