Student Advice Service – Money Matters

News from the Student Advice Service at the University of Brighton

COVID-19 Financial support for families

These are uncertain times for us all, and it can be tricky to keep on top of the ever-changing guidance and information we are being given on a daily basis.

If you are a student with a family and are on a low income, you might be interested to know that a number of provisions have been put in place to help support you and your brood.

Food vouchers

The Government has recently announced that in light of the recent school closures, low-income families whose children would usually be eligible for free school meals, will still be supported via vouchers, food, or meals, even if they are no longer in attendance.

In some circumstances schools will provide meals or food parcels via their usual catering services, others will be able to order vouchers to be emailed or printed and posted to families to be spent in supermarkets or local shops. You should check directly with your child/children’s school to find out what help is being offered.

** Brighton and Hove Council are urging any parents who have received an email stating that they are entitled to free school meals and asking them to submit bank details, should NOT respond under any circumstances, and should delete the email immediately. This is a scam. **

Key workers

The Government has urged parents to keep children at home where possible, but if you or your partner are a Key Worker, you are entitled to send your child/children to school or nursery. If your child’s usual setting has closed, you can contact your local authority to find out what arrangements have been put in place in your area.

Employees and self-employed people

If you are employed but have children to care for and can’t do your job, you should check your contract of employment or contact your employer to find out your options. Your employer has to give you time off to look after your children, but they do not necessarily have to pay you for it.

Changes have been made to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) to make sure people in work can take the necessary time off if they are suffering from coronavirus or to prevent its spread. If you are employed and earn at least £118 per week (on average) before tax, you are legally entitled to statutory sick pay of £95.85 per week (rising from £94.25 as of 6 April 2020). This will be paid from day one, instead of the fourth day of consecutive illness (as per standard SSP rules). If you or your partner are self-employed, you could benefit from the governments new Income Support Scheme, which would give you access to a taxable grant worth 80% of your profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for 3 months – see our recent blog post COVID-19 Government help for self-employed workers for more information, including how Universal Credit can support self-employed claimants who are unable to work due to coronavirus.

Can I claim Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is an income assessed benefit that can be claimed by single people, couples and those with families, to help with living and housing costs. Claimants do not have to be unemployed; it can be used to top up a low income.

Although some measures have been put in place by the government to make Universal Credit more accessible, full-time students are generally still unable to claim (part-time students can apply), even since the switch to

virtual learning. This is because unless you make the decision to withdraw from your course, you still maintain full-time student status.

There are exceptions to this rule where any of the following apply:

* Lone parents

* Long term disability

* Students that live with a partner/spouse who have a child/children and a low income

* Students with a partner/spouse who is disabled

If you interrupt your studies due to ill health or to care for another as a result of Coronavirus, you may be able to claim from the date you recover from ill health or stop your caring role, up to the date you return to the course.

If you think that you (or your partner/spouse) may be eligible, this ‘Understanding Universal Credit’ guide has general guidance that you may find helpful. There is also some useful information about claiming Universal Credit as a student.

Already receiving benefits?

If you already receive benefits, you will continue to do so as normal, but you do not have to attend any jobcentre appointments for three months, effect from Thursday 19 March 2020 (unless directed to do so) – check out the latest government guidance for those receiving benefits 

Please contact Student Advice if you have got any questions about these or any other incentives. We may not know all the answers, but we can help get you in the right direction.

Student Advice Service

COVID-19

Helen Abrahams • April 9, 2020


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