Additional hardship criteria

Where a client has not been receiving student allowance you may still pay Jobseeker Support Student Hardship if you think hardship is justified after taking the following into account:

• the source of funds for living costs which have been (or are available to the client) to support themselves, including a student loan
• whether it is the clients choice not to access any funds available to them for living costs during the vacation (there is no expectation that students should use student loan funds to support themselves during the vacation period)
• the reasons why the client is not entitled to student allowance
• their parents' financial circumstances (where the client is not to entitled to student allowance because of their parents income)
• the reason the client is suffering hardship (if hardship exists) and how long the hardship will continue
• the nature of the hardship (that is what does the client have to go without)
• the health of the applicant
• ability of the client to improve their financial situation and
• any other relevant matters

For more information see:

• Hardship and student allowance