Student finance - do I include UC top up in household income?

[OneCyanViper]

Single parent, dad not in picture. I’m a low earner so receive Universal credit top up.
DD is looking at uni for 2027, will still have DS at home, do I include the universal credit top up as part of the whole figure or just earnings from employment? (In Wales if that makes a difference)

I have absolutely no clue what I’m looking for or doing btw, didn’t go to uni myself

Yes, of course. It is income.

Yes because it's income. It's quite surprising the amount of people who dont know the difference between income and salary/wages.

Thank you for asking. I was wondering this for mine.

I think Student Finance assessment is carried out on taxable income - is UC taxed?

In Wales though all students get the same amount of money (more than English students on full loan get). Parental income determines what proportion of the money is in the form of a grant, and what is a loan (repayable through salary deduction).

UC isn't taxed.

No, UC isn't taxed so not counted for student finance.

No need for the snottiness @plentyofsunshine

According to ChatGPT UC top ups do not count as taxable income so should not be included.

Just check with an advice service if you're unsure, eg Citizens Advice 🙂

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I have just looked up the Wales student finance form. It says ‘taxable state benefits’, so no need for the UC amount.

Thanks all, this is helpful :)

Income is wages. Not UC or benefits.

Wages certainly count, as dies any other taxable income - interest in savings and investments, income from rental properties, pensions, dividends etc

I guess you need to try to work out how much UC you'd get once the son going to Uni is off the claim. Will you still qualify for UC with just one younger child on the claim?

In England it would not count as income. I assume it’s the same for Wales, the reason being that most people would lose a significant amount of UC once their child leaves 6th form/college & goes to uni.

Why wouldn’t you?

Because the forms state not too (albeit often hidden in guidance notes)

Exactly, on paper I earn £1000 a month but with UC it makes it £2000 a month. It's still £1000 that my earns are on any form or paperwork.