Disabled Student Launches Legal Case For Right To Claim Universal Credit

• Published date: 03 July 2020
• Subject Matter: Consumer Protection, Food, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Education
• Law Firm: Leigh Day
• Author: Lucy Cadd

A disabled student has launched a legal case against the government for the right to be able to claim universal credit. She claims that the Department of Work and Pensions' (DWP) current policy, which prevents disabled students from claiming universal credit is unlawful.

Sidra Kauser, aged 22, from Halifax, suffers severe sight impairment and mental health difficulties. As a student in full time higher education at the University of York she is not entitled to universal credit.

She has a student loan but this does not even cover the cost of her tuition fees and rental accommodation. Instead, she is forced to live off her Personal Independence Payment, which is meant to be spent on the extra costs of living associated with her health conditions. She has '122 a month to live off, which has to pay for everything she needs, such as food and travel, clothing and socialising.

Sidra made an application for universal credit at the start of her master's course last year, following a deterioration in her...