§ Ms ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if a person enrolled on a full-time training course supported by(a) training for work or (b) the European social fund and attending an educational establishment, is eligible for (i) housing benefit or (ii) council tax benefit; how their training allowance is taken into account in assessing the amount of benefit they should receive; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BurtA person attending a full-time training for work course is eligible for housing benefit and council tax benefit, subject to normal rules. The training allowance is taken into account in assessing benefit entitlement, but any payment reimbursing travelling expenses, any training premium and, in certain circumstances, any living away from home allowance is disregarded.
A person attending a full-time training course supported by the European social fund, which does not fall within the definition of a training allowance, is ineligible for housing benefit and council tax benefit unless he or she is a member of the vulnerable groups, including disabled people and lone parents.