Universal credit and students update

Universal credit (UC) managed migration is complete, except for a few people on income-related employment and support allowance (ESA) where a ‘claimant has an appointee (someone who acts on their behalf for benefit purposes) or the Secretary of State has determined within the previous six months that an appointee is likely to be needed’. They may also still be getting housing benefit.

The managed migration rules allow students who have manage migrated to UC while on a course to get UC even if they don’t fit the usual UC rules (they are treated as if they are not a student for duration of the course). Note that some students may have a transitional element showing in their UC statement. This is an extra amount to make up for the fact that when they moved from tax credits or other legacy benefits to UC their UC amount was less.