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<p>Students cannot normally satisfy the entitlement conditions for Universal Credit
(UC). Exceptions are made where students have additional needs that are not met through
the student support system. Primary financial support for students comes from this
student support system which is designed for their needs, unlike the social security
system. It is important that UC does not duplicate this support and UC broadly mirrors
the treatment of most of the legacy benefits it replaces. This safeguards fairness
whilst also ensuring simplification of the benefit system. Eligible claimants receiving
legacy benefits whose circumstances remain the same will be considered for transitional
protection to protect entitlement at the point of transition to UC.</p><p> </p><p>Where
UC is paid to a student, any student loan or grant paid to meet living costs is subject
to a £110 disregard in each Assessment Period where student income is taken into account,
equivalent to that provided under Legacy Benefits. Any reduction is only for living
costs as loans or grants for other things, such as tuition fees or books, are fully
disregarded<em>. </em>Any Special Support loan/grant is also fully disregarded as
this specifically covers the costs of the course</p><p> </p><p>Whilst it is acknowledged
that maintenance loans are to be paid back, if they were not treated as income and
were disregarded this would result in UC (and most legacy benefits) duplicating support
already provided through the student finance system.</p>
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