Benefits and student finance

[Violetribbons]

I'm disabled and considering applying for PIP for the first time. DC will (hopefully) be going to university in a couple of years and I'm wondering if my application is successful whether the PIP will be classed as household income when calculating their maintenance loan entitlement? Can't find the answer anywhere online although I've seen definition of household income as "taxable income" which obviously PIP isn't.

We have exactly this situation and it isn’t counted. Dd is second year and gets the full loan and grant thing and also a bursary for low income students which helps. Dh works full time and this is the only thing that’s counted. I get pip and ds gets dla and these aren’t.

Very helpful, thanks for your reply.

Do bear in mind though that the loans are considered income for you if you are on any housing benefit.

Thanks, I'm not on any other benefits so doesn't apply to me but a useful point.

@winterpastasalad sorry to hijack the thread but may I ask more?

The idea of university for our son has only just popped into our heads as he is severely disabled (ASD & ADHD and gets high rate PIP) but I think there a possibility of making it work as he is showing signs of becoming more independent.

We get universal credit as my husband is a full time carer. Would any loan my son gets for university affect our universal credit?

Thanks!

@whatat as far as I know it is only housing benefit that is affected. So if your UC contains a housing element then yes I think it will be affected as it is classed as income.