§ Mr. PopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the aims, scope and nature of the consultations taking place between his Department and the Department for Education regarding full-time students who temporarily suspend their studies yet under the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 are precluded from claiming income support or housing benefit even though they are not attending an institution; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BurtMost full-time students are not eligible for income support or housing benefit because support is provided through the student support system. Those with mandatory awards who temporarily suspend their studies because of illness will not have their awards reduced for the first 28 days' absence, but beyond that the amount and duration of payments is at the discretion of the local education authority. When students are absent with the leave of their college for some other reasons, the amount and duration of payments is at the authorities' discretion from the start of their absence. Full-time students who suspend their studies because of ill-health for more than 28 weeks, and supply supporting medical evidence, are eligible to claim income support and housing benefit by virtue of having become one of the prescribed vulnerable groups. Our discussions with the Department for Education are about the extent and circumstances in which temporary suspension of studies occurs.