Written question WQ99622

Benefit claimants, their status prior to and upon completion of their course, are not identified within the student finance system.

Eligible full and part-time undergraduate applicants who meet certain criteria may qualify to have some or all their maintenance grant to be awarded as a Special Support Grant. Special Support Grant is disregarded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) when assessing or reassessing an individual’s benefit entitlement. DWP is responsible for benefits assessments, regulations, and claimant data.

To qualify to have some or all the maintenance grant to be awarded as a Special Support Grant, one or more of the following must apply:

• you’re a single parent or a single foster parent, with a child or young person aged under 20 who is in full-time education below higher education level

• your partner is also a student and one or both of you are responsible for a child, or a young person under 20 who is in full-time education below higher education level

• you have a disability and qualify for the Disability Premium or Severe Disability Premium

• you’re deaf and qualify for Disabled Students' Allowance

• you have been treated as incapable of work for at least 28 weeks

• you have a disability and qualify for income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• you’re eligible for Housing Benefit or Housing element of Universal Credit

• you’re entitled to Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

• you’re entitled to Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)

• you’re entitled to Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

• you’re waiting to go back to a course having taken agreed time out from that course due to an illness or caring responsibility that has now ended

• you’re aged 60 or older.