Part time students and benefits - Part-time students and other benefits

Carer’s Allowance

If you are a part-time student and your course involves you studying for less than 21 hours per week, you may be able to claim Carer's Allowance if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they are in receipt of a qualifying benefit.

If you are a part-time student in Scotland, from November 2024 you might be able to claim Carer’s Support Payment instead. Your course should involve less than 21 hours of study per week, and you need to care for someone in receipt of a qualifying benefit for at least 35 hours per week.

Child Benefit

If you are responsible for a child, as a part time student you can still claim Child Benefit.

Pension Credit

If you are a part-time student who is over 66 and you have a low income, you may be able to get Pension Credit.

Any student support income (grants or loans) you receive is ignored.

If you get Pension Credit (Guarantee credit) you will automatically receive your maximum entitlement to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support.

Tax Credits

If you are already getting tax credits you may be able to continue getting them as a part time student. It is no longer possible to make new claims for tax credits, and the tax credits service will close on 5 April 2025.

See the Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit information pages for full details about tax credits.