If you have applied for a social work bursary on a full time course (uk) can you still claim housing benefit?

Question

I am hoping to train as a social worker, the only thing putting me off is the bursary. I have a partner and we will have to relocate in order to get onto a course, partner is happy to do this as he wants a new job anyway. Problem is, before he finds a new job will we be entitled to housing/council tax benefit as I will be in full time ed?

Answer 1

You would get housing benefit whilst your partner is unemployed.  Once he has a job, you might still get some benefit based on his income and some of your grants and loans.  Some student income from grants is not counted when deciding benefit so it is worth applying.  

Answer 2

Yes you should if neither of you have an income but be warned it takes them weeks after you've moved in before they will have processed your claim and decided how much your entitled to. And there are no guarantees it will pay all of any rent or council tax. They will only deal with your case once you have moved in so i'd make sure you have some back up money to pay the rent until they have dealt with you.  

Answer 3

You wont get housing benefit unless you have children or your partner claims a benefit. With unemployment benefit you would get help with housing benefit and while you are a fulltime student you personally wont have to pay council tax but your partner will have to pay some, even while on benefits.

Sarah x