§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is on the assessment of(a) grants, (b) bursaries, whether from Government or other sources and (c) student loans in the household incomes assessments for means-tested benefits; and whether this policy is under review. [186843]
§ Mr. PondIncome support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit are income-related benefits. It is a general principle in the calculation of these benefits that any income available to the customer including grants, bursaries and student loans will be taken into account. A standard disregard is allowed for books, travel and equipment.
For benefit purposes, a student loan is treated in the same way as a grant or bursary. However, a further disregard of £10 per week is applied.
The new Higher Education Grant and Educational Maintenance Allowance paid to those students with low parental or family income will be wholly disregarded in the calculation of benefit as they are paid for the purpose of defraying costs of books, equipment, travel and child care.
DWP are currently working with the Department for Education and Skills and the Devolved Administrations in reviewing our policies on the treatment of grants, 1119W loans and bursaries within the benefit system in time for new grants and bursaries due to be introduced at the beginning of the 2006/07 academic year.