I am a home owner and receiving income support benefits. I recently had a major heating issues with my boiler and had to replace it which I couldn't afford. I took out a loan to pay for it. Am I eligible for getting Support for Mortgage Interest?

If you’re a homeowner, you might be able to get help towards interest payments on:

Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

Overview

your mortgage

loans you’ve taken out for certain repairs and improvements to your home

This help is called Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI).

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

It’s paid as a loan, which you’ll need to repay with interest when you sell or transfer ownership of your home (unless you’re moving the loan to another property).

You usually need to be getting, or treated as getting, a qualifying benefit to get SMI.

There’s no guarantee that you’ll get SMI for a mortgage or loan you take out.

What you cannot use SMI for

SMI cannot help you pay:

the amount you borrowed - only the interest on your mortgage

anything towards insurance policies you have

missed mortgage payments (arrears)

What you'll get

If you qualify for Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI), you’ll usually get help paying the interest on up to £200,000 of your loan or mortgage.

However, you can only get up to £100,000 if either:

you’re getting Pension Credit

you started claiming another qualifying benefit before January 2009 and you were below State Pension age at that time

If you’re already getting SMI and move to Pension Credit within 12 weeks of stopping your other benefits, you’ll still get help with interest on up to £200,000.

The interest rate used to calculate the amount of SMI you’ll get is currently 2.09%.

What you’ll pay back

SMI is paid as a loan. You’ll need to repay the money you get with interest when you sell or transfer ownership of your home (unless you’re moving the loan to another property).

The interest added to the loan can go up or down, but the rate will not change more than twice a year. The current rate is 0.3%.

If you want to pay the loan back more quickly, you can also make voluntary repayments. The minimum voluntary repayment is £100 or the outstanding balance if it’s less than £100.

How SMI is paid

SMI is normally paid direct to your lender.

Payments can start either:

from the date you start getting Pension Credit

after you’ve received Universal Credit for 9 months in a row, as long as you’re not getting certain income

after you’ve claimed any other qualifying benefit for 39 weeks in a row

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loan, you usually need to be getting one of the following qualifying benefits:

Income Support

income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Universal Credit

Pension Credit

Contact the relevant office to check if you’re eligible for SMI.

You can start getting the loan:

after you’ve claimed Income Support, income-based JSA or income-based ESA for 39 weeks in a row

If you receive Universal Credit

You cannot get SMI if you get any of the following income:

earnings from your job if you’re employed or self-employed

a tax refund

Statutory Sick Pay

Statutory Maternity Pay

Statutory Paternity Pay

Statutory Adoption Pay

Statutory Shared Parental Pay

To start getting SMI (or get it again if your SMI stopped), you’ll need to stop getting this income and then get Universal Credit for 9 months in a row.

If your income is too high to get a qualifying benefit

You might still be able to get SMI if you apply for one of the qualifying benefits but cannot get it because your income is too high. You’ll then be treated as getting the benefit you applied for.

You will not be treated as getting Universal Credit if you cannot get it because your income is too high.

How to apply

When you apply for a qualifying benefit, you’ll be asked extra questions about your housing costs to find out if you’re eligible for Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI). You might also be sent a form asking for more detailed information.

If you qualify for SMI, you’ll be offered a loan.

If you turn down the offer at first, you can still accept it at any time as long as you’re eligible for SMI. The payments to your lender will be backdated to when you were first entitled to the loan. Contact the office that pays your benefit.

If you already get a qualifying benefit

Contact the office that pays your benefit to find out if you could get an SMI loan.

The payments to your lender will be backdated to when you were first entitled to the loan.

If you get or have applied for Income Support, income-based JSA or income-related ESA, contact Jobcentre Plus.

If you get or have applied for Pension Credit, contact the Pension Service.

If you get or have applied for Universal Credit, contact the Universal Credit helpline.

Repaying your loan

You’ll need to repay your SMI loan with interest if you sell or transfer ownership of your home.

The interest you pay can go up or down, but the rate will not change more than twice a year. The current rate is 0.3%. You’ll be told if this is going to change.

Selling your home

You will not be asked to sell your home in order to repay your SMI loan.

If you sell your home, you’ll repay the SMI loan from what’s left after you pay:

your mortgage

any home improvement loans

any other loans secured against your home

If you do not have enough left to pay off all of the SMI loan, you will have to pay back what you can. The rest of the loan will be written off.

If you’re buying a new home

You may be able to transfer the loan to your new home. Contact DWP Loan Management as soon as you know you intend to move, and before you complete your sale.

You’ll need to give DWP Loan Management your solicitor’s contact details. They will work with your solicitor to arrange for the loan to be moved to your new home.

The office paying your qualifying benefit will also check you’re still eligible.

Voluntary repayments

How to repay

Contact DWP Loan Repayment to ask for a ‘settlement letter’ - this will tell you how much you need to pay.

You can pay by telephone or online banking using the bank account details in your settlement letter.

Get other financial help with your housing costs

You can still get financial help with your housing costs if your Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance is going to stop because you are about to:

return to work full-time

work more hours

earn more money

Help and support

You can get free information about housing support from:

Citizens Advice

Money Advice Service

Shelter

loans you’ve taken out for certain repairs and improvements to your home

Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

Overview

If you’re a homeowner, you might be able to get help towards interest payments on:

your mortgage

This help is called Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI).

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

You usually need to be getting, or treated as getting, a qualifying benefit to get SMI.

There’s no guarantee that you’ll get SMI for a mortgage or loan you take out.

What you cannot use SMI for

SMI cannot help you pay:

the amount you borrowed - only the interest on your mortgage

anything towards insurance policies you have

missed mortgage payments (arrears)

What you'll get

However, you can only get up to £100,000 if either:

you’re getting Pension Credit

you started claiming another qualifying benefit before January 2009 and you were below State Pension age at that time

The interest rate used to calculate the amount of SMI you’ll get is currently 2.09%.

What you’ll pay back

The interest added to the loan can go up or down, but the rate will not change more than twice a year. The current rate is 0.3%.

How SMI is paid

SMI is normally paid direct to your lender.

Payments can start either:

from the date you start getting Pension Credit

after you’ve received Universal Credit for 9 months in a row, as long as you’re not getting certain income

after you’ve claimed any other qualifying benefit for 39 weeks in a row

Eligibility

Income Support

income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Universal Credit

Pension Credit

Contact the relevant office to check if you’re eligible for SMI.

You can start getting the loan:

after you’ve claimed Income Support, income-based JSA or income-based ESA for 39 weeks in a row

If you receive Universal Credit

You cannot get SMI if you get any of the following income:

earnings from your job if you’re employed or self-employed

a tax refund

Statutory Sick Pay

Statutory Maternity Pay

Statutory Paternity Pay

Statutory Adoption Pay

Statutory Shared Parental Pay

If your income is too high to get a qualifying benefit

You will not be treated as getting Universal Credit if you cannot get it because your income is too high.

How to apply

If you qualify for SMI, you’ll be offered a loan.

If you already get a qualifying benefit

Contact the office that pays your benefit to find out if you could get an SMI loan.

The payments to your lender will be backdated to when you were first entitled to the loan.

If you get or have applied for Income Support, income-based JSA or income-related ESA, contact Jobcentre Plus.

If you get or have applied for Pension Credit, contact the Pension Service.

If you get or have applied for Universal Credit, contact the Universal Credit helpline.

Repaying your loan

You’ll need to repay your SMI loan with interest if you sell or transfer ownership of your home.

Selling your home

You will not be asked to sell your home in order to repay your SMI loan.

If you sell your home, you’ll repay the SMI loan from what’s left after you pay:

your mortgage

any home improvement loans

any other loans secured against your home

If you’re buying a new home

The office paying your qualifying benefit will also check you’re still eligible.

Voluntary repayments

How to repay

Contact DWP Loan Repayment to ask for a ‘settlement letter’ - this will tell you how much you need to pay.

You can pay by telephone or online banking using the bank account details in your settlement letter.

Get other financial help with your housing costs

return to work full-time

work more hours

earn more money

Help and support

You can get free information about housing support from:

Citizens Advice

Money Advice Service

Shelter

Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

Overview

If you’re a homeowner, you might be able to get help towards interest payments on:

your mortgage

loans you’ve taken out for certain repairs and improvements to your home

This help is called Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI).

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

You usually need to be getting, or treated as getting, a qualifying benefit to get SMI.

There’s no guarantee that you’ll get SMI for a mortgage or loan you take out.

What you cannot use SMI for

SMI cannot help you pay:

the amount you borrowed - only the interest on your mortgage

anything towards insurance policies you have

missed mortgage payments (arrears)

What you'll get

However, you can only get up to £100,000 if either:

you’re getting Pension Credit

you started claiming another qualifying benefit before January 2009 and you were below State Pension age at that time

The interest rate used to calculate the amount of SMI you’ll get is currently 2.09%.

What you’ll pay back

The interest added to the loan can go up or down, but the rate will not change more than twice a year. The current rate is 0.3%.

How SMI is paid

SMI is normally paid direct to your lender.

Payments can start either:

from the date you start getting Pension Credit

after you’ve received Universal Credit for 9 months in a row, as long as you’re not getting certain income

after you’ve claimed any other qualifying benefit for 39 weeks in a row

Eligibility

Income Support

income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Universal Credit

Pension Credit

Contact the relevant office to check if you’re eligible for SMI.

You can start getting the loan:

after you’ve claimed Income Support, income-based JSA or income-based ESA for 39 weeks in a row

If you receive Universal Credit

You cannot get SMI if you get any of the following income:

earnings from your job if you’re employed or self-employed

a tax refund

Statutory Sick Pay

Statutory Maternity Pay

Statutory Paternity Pay

Statutory Adoption Pay

Statutory Shared Parental Pay

If your income is too high to get a qualifying benefit

You will not be treated as getting Universal Credit if you cannot get it because your income is too high.

How to apply

If you qualify for SMI, you’ll be offered a loan.

If you already get a qualifying benefit

Contact the office that pays your benefit to find out if you could get an SMI loan.

The payments to your lender will be backdated to when you were first entitled to the loan.

If you get or have applied for Income Support, income-based JSA or income-related ESA, contact Jobcentre Plus.

If you get or have applied for Pension Credit, contact the Pension Service.

If you get or have applied for Universal Credit, contact the Universal Credit helpline.

Repaying your loan

You’ll need to repay your SMI loan with interest if you sell or transfer ownership of your home.

Selling your home

You will not be asked to sell your home in order to repay your SMI loan.

If you sell your home, you’ll repay the SMI loan from what’s left after you pay:

your mortgage

any home improvement loans

any other loans secured against your home

If you’re buying a new home

The office paying your qualifying benefit will also check you’re still eligible.

Voluntary repayments

How to repay

Contact DWP Loan Repayment to ask for a ‘settlement letter’ - this will tell you how much you need to pay.

You can pay by telephone or online banking using the bank account details in your settlement letter.

Get other financial help with your housing costs

return to work full-time

work more hours

earn more money

Help and support

You can get free information about housing support from:

Citizens Advice

Money Advice Service

Shelter

Income Support

Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

Overview

If you’re a homeowner, you might be able to get help towards interest payments on:

your mortgage

loans you’ve taken out for certain repairs and improvements to your home

This help is called Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI).

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

You usually need to be getting, or treated as getting, a qualifying benefit to get SMI.

There’s no guarantee that you’ll get SMI for a mortgage or loan you take out.

What you cannot use SMI for

SMI cannot help you pay:

the amount you borrowed - only the interest on your mortgage

anything towards insurance policies you have

missed mortgage payments (arrears)

What you'll get

However, you can only get up to £100,000 if either:

you’re getting Pension Credit

you started claiming another qualifying benefit before January 2009 and you were below State Pension age at that time

The interest rate used to calculate the amount of SMI you’ll get is currently 2.09%.

What you’ll pay back

The interest added to the loan can go up or down, but the rate will not change more than twice a year. The current rate is 0.3%.

How SMI is paid

SMI is normally paid direct to your lender.

Payments can start either:

from the date you start getting Pension Credit

after you’ve received Universal Credit for 9 months in a row, as long as you’re not getting certain income

after you’ve claimed any other qualifying benefit for 39 weeks in a row

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loan, you usually need to be getting one of the following qualifying benefits:

Income Support

income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Universal Credit

Pension Credit

Contact the relevant office to check if you’re eligible for SMI.

You can start getting the loan:

after you’ve claimed Income Support, income-based JSA or income-based ESA for 39 weeks in a row

If you receive Universal Credit

You cannot get SMI if you get any of the following income:

earnings from your job if you’re employed or self-employed

a tax refund

Statutory Sick Pay

Statutory Maternity Pay

Statutory Paternity Pay

Statutory Adoption Pay

Statutory Shared Parental Pay

If your income is too high to get a qualifying benefit

You will not be treated as getting Universal Credit if you cannot get it because your income is too high.

How to apply

If you qualify for SMI, you’ll be offered a loan.

If you already get a qualifying benefit

Contact the office that pays your benefit to find out if you could get an SMI loan.

The payments to your lender will be backdated to when you were first entitled to the loan.

If you get or have applied for Income Support, income-based JSA or income-related ESA, contact Jobcentre Plus.

If you get or have applied for Pension Credit, contact the Pension Service.

If you get or have applied for Universal Credit, contact the Universal Credit helpline.

Repaying your loan

You’ll need to repay your SMI loan with interest if you sell or transfer ownership of your home.

Selling your home

You will not be asked to sell your home in order to repay your SMI loan.

If you sell your home, you’ll repay the SMI loan from what’s left after you pay:

your mortgage

any home improvement loans

any other loans secured against your home

If you’re buying a new home

The office paying your qualifying benefit will also check you’re still eligible.

Voluntary repayments

How to repay

Contact DWP Loan Repayment to ask for a ‘settlement letter’ - this will tell you how much you need to pay.

You can pay by telephone or online banking using the bank account details in your settlement letter.

Get other financial help with your housing costs

return to work full-time

work more hours

earn more money

Help and support

You can get free information about housing support from:

Citizens Advice

Money Advice Service

Shelter


I am a 25 year old from Leeds and I have been disqualified from driving for drink driving although I was not under the influence at the time. Is it possible to appeal the disqualification?

You can ask the court to reduce your disqualification period after you’ve been banned from driving for:

Driving disqualifications

Overview

You can be banned (disqualified) from driving if you are either:

convicted of a driving offence

get 12 or more penalty points (endorsements) within 3 years

You’ll get a summons in the post that tells you when you must go to court.

Some disqualification rules are different in Northern Ireland.

How long a driving ban will last

The court will decide how long the disqualification will last, based on how serious they think the offence is.

You can be banned from driving if you already have 12 or more penalty points on your licence. Your ban can last:

6 months, if you get 12 or more penalty points within 3 years

12 months, if you get a second disqualification within 3 years

2 years, if you get a third disqualification within 3 years

Disqualified for 56 days or more

If you’re disqualified for 56 days or more you must apply for a new licence before driving again.

You might also have to retake your driving test or take an extended driving test before getting your full licence. The court will tell you if you have to do this.

Disqualified for less than 56 days

View your driving licence record online to check the disqualification. You cannot drive until it has ended.

You do not need to apply for a new licence before you can drive again.

Disqualification outside Great Britain

You cannot drive in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man if you’ve been banned from driving on your Great Britain driving licence.

This is called ‘mutual recognition of disqualification’. Disqualified drivers from Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man are also banned from driving in Great Britain.

Check when your disqualification ends

You can find the date your driving ban ends:

online

on the reminder form D27 that DVLA sends you 56 days before your disqualification ends

on the D27PH letter issued 90 days before certain drink-related disqualifications end

by contacting DVLA (if you’re in Northern Ireland, contact DVA)

Apply to reduce your disqualification period

You can ask the court to reduce your disqualification period after you’ve been banned from driving for:

2 years - if the disqualification was for fewer than 4 years

half the disqualification period - if it was for at least 4 but under 10 years

5 years - if the disqualification was for 10 years or more

You must have a good reason for asking for the disqualification to be reduced. For example, if you think the court made a legal mistake or there were reasons you committed the driving offence that the court did not take into account.

Write to the court that disqualified you with the date of offence, date of conviction and any other supporting information.

The court will tell DVLA if it decides to reduce your disqualification period. If it does, you’ll need to apply for a new licence.

If the court refuses your request you have to wait 3 months before you can ask again.

If your disqualification is reduced

Car or motorbike licences

Apply for a new licence by sending DVLA a completed form D1 ‘Application for a driving licence’, available from the DVLA form ordering service or most Post Offices. You must pay a fee.

Lorry or bus licences

Apply for a new licence by sending DVLA a completed form D2 ‘Application for a lorry/bus licence’, available from the DVLA form ordering service. You must pay a fee.

Northern Ireland

Apply to the DVA to renew your licence.

If you need to retake your test

If the court told you that you must take another driving test before driving again, you’ll have to apply for a new provisional licence.

You can drive as soon as your ban is over and you’ve passed the tests you need to take.

How to get a new licence

DVLA will send you a reminder 56 days before your disqualification ends - use this to apply for a new provisional driving licence. If you did not get a reminder, order an application form instead. Order form D1 for a car and motorbike licence or form D2 for a lorry and bus licence.

Book and take a theory and practical test (or compulsory basic training and motorcycle practical test if you ride a motorcycle). Book and take an extended practical test if the court told you to take one. The extended practical test lasts at least 60 minutes and has higher fees.

When you’ve passed the practical test, ask the examiner to arrange for your new licence to be sent to you - you can legally drive as soon as you’ve passed the practical test.

If you want to drive a large vehicle (category C) or a bus (category D) the local traffic commissioner must agree - DVLA will ask them when you apply for your new full licence.

There’s a different process in Northern Ireland.

If you’ve got a licence from an EU country

Do not apply for a provisional licence - you can use your EU driving licence to take the test instead.

Follow the usual rules for learning to drive until you retake your test and pass.

Changes to your name and address while disqualified

Tell DVLA if you change your name or address while disqualified.

Write with details of your old and new address, name if changed, your driving licence number (if known) and date of birth.

Disqualification for drink-driving

You can be disqualified if you’re found guilty of drink-driving. Depending on your offence, you can also be fined or sent to prison.

You’ll need to apply for a new licence after your disqualification ends.

If you’re disqualified from driving for 12 months or more, you might be able to reduce your ban by taking a drink-drive rehabilitation course.

High risk offenders

If you’re a ‘high risk offender’, you will not get your new licence until you can prove you’re fit to drive again. You’ll need to pass a medical examination with one of DVLA’s appointed doctors.

You’re a high risk offender if you:

were convicted of 2 drink driving offences within 10 years

were driving with an alcohol reading of at least 87.5 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres (ml) of breath, 200 milligrammes (mg) of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, or 267.5 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of urine

refused to give the police a sample of breath, blood or urine to test for alcohol

refused to allow a sample of your blood to be tested for alcohol (for example if it was taken when you were unconscious)

You’ll get a D27PH renewal form 90 days before your disqualification ends. You must fill in the form and send it to DVLA to reapply for your licence.

Medical examination with a DVLA doctor

Once DVLA receive your application for a new licence, they’ll send you the doctors details so you can make an appointment.

You have to pay for your examination.

During the examination, you’ll:

complete a questionnaire about your medical history and use of alcohol

take part in a physical examination

have your blood tested

The process is different in Northern Ireland.

Disqualification for drug driving

You can be disqualified from driving for at least 1 year if you’re found guilty of drug driving. Depending on your offence, you can also be fined or sent to prison.

You must apply for a new licence before you can drive again.

2 years - if the disqualification was for fewer than 4 years

Driving disqualifications

Overview

You can be banned (disqualified) from driving if you are either:

convicted of a driving offence

get 12 or more penalty points (endorsements) within 3 years

You’ll get a summons in the post that tells you when you must go to court.

Some disqualification rules are different in Northern Ireland.

How long a driving ban will last

The court will decide how long the disqualification will last, based on how serious they think the offence is.

You can be banned from driving if you already have 12 or more penalty points on your licence. Your ban can last:

6 months, if you get 12 or more penalty points within 3 years

12 months, if you get a second disqualification within 3 years

2 years, if you get a third disqualification within 3 years

Disqualified for 56 days or more

If you’re disqualified for 56 days or more you must apply for a new licence before driving again.

You might also have to retake your driving test or take an extended driving test before getting your full licence. The court will tell you if you have to do this.

Disqualified for less than 56 days

View your driving licence record online to check the disqualification. You cannot drive until it has ended.

You do not need to apply for a new licence before you can drive again.

Disqualification outside Great Britain

You cannot drive in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man if you’ve been banned from driving on your Great Britain driving licence.

Check when your disqualification ends

You can find the date your driving ban ends:

online

on the reminder form D27 that DVLA sends you 56 days before your disqualification ends

on the D27PH letter issued 90 days before certain drink-related disqualifications end

by contacting DVLA (if you’re in Northern Ireland, contact DVA)

Apply to reduce your disqualification period

You can ask the court to reduce your disqualification period after you’ve been banned from driving for:

2 years - if the disqualification was for fewer than 4 years

half the disqualification period - if it was for at least 4 but under 10 years

5 years - if the disqualification was for 10 years or more

Write to the court that disqualified you with the date of offence, date of conviction and any other supporting information.

The court will tell DVLA if it decides to reduce your disqualification period. If it does, you’ll need to apply for a new licence.

If the court refuses your request you have to wait 3 months before you can ask again.

If your disqualification is reduced

Car or motorbike licences

Lorry or bus licences

Apply for a new licence by sending DVLA a completed form D2 ‘Application for a lorry/bus licence’, available from the DVLA form ordering service. You must pay a fee.

Northern Ireland

Apply to the DVA to renew your licence.

If you need to retake your test

If the court told you that you must take another driving test before driving again, you’ll have to apply for a new provisional licence.

You can drive as soon as your ban is over and you’ve passed the tests you need to take.

How to get a new licence

There’s a different process in Northern Ireland.

If you’ve got a licence from an EU country

Do not apply for a provisional licence - you can use your EU driving licence to take the test instead.

Follow the usual rules for learning to drive until you retake your test and pass.

Changes to your name and address while disqualified

Tell DVLA if you change your name or address while disqualified.

Write with details of your old and new address, name if changed, your driving licence number (if known) and date of birth.

Disqualification for drink-driving

You can be disqualified if you’re found guilty of drink-driving. Depending on your offence, you can also be fined or sent to prison.

You’ll need to apply for a new licence after your disqualification ends.

If you’re disqualified from driving for 12 months or more, you might be able to reduce your ban by taking a drink-drive rehabilitation course.

High risk offenders

You’re a high risk offender if you:

were convicted of 2 drink driving offences within 10 years

refused to give the police a sample of breath, blood or urine to test for alcohol

refused to allow a sample of your blood to be tested for alcohol (for example if it was taken when you were unconscious)

You’ll get a D27PH renewal form 90 days before your disqualification ends. You must fill in the form and send it to DVLA to reapply for your licence.

Medical examination with a DVLA doctor

Once DVLA receive your application for a new licence, they’ll send you the doctors details so you can make an appointment.

You have to pay for your examination.

During the examination, you’ll:

complete a questionnaire about your medical history and use of alcohol

take part in a physical examination

have your blood tested

The process is different in Northern Ireland.

Disqualification for drug driving

You can be disqualified from driving for at least 1 year if you’re found guilty of drug driving. Depending on your offence, you can also be fined or sent to prison.

You must apply for a new licence before you can drive again.

half the disqualification period - if it was for at least 4 but under 10 years

Driving disqualifications

Overview

You can be banned (disqualified) from driving if you are either:

convicted of a driving offence

get 12 or more penalty points (endorsements) within 3 years

You’ll get a summons in the post that tells you when you must go to court.

Some disqualification rules are different in Northern Ireland.

How long a driving ban will last

The court will decide how long the disqualification will last, based on how serious they think the offence is.

You can be banned from driving if you already have 12 or more penalty points on your licence. Your ban can last:

6 months, if you get 12 or more penalty points within 3 years

12 months, if you get a second disqualification within 3 years

2 years, if you get a third disqualification within 3 years

Disqualified for 56 days or more

If you’re disqualified for 56 days or more you must apply for a new licence before driving again.

You might also have to retake your driving test or take an extended driving test before getting your full licence. The court will tell you if you have to do this.

Disqualified for less than 56 days

View your driving licence record online to check the disqualification. You cannot drive until it has ended.

You do not need to apply for a new licence before you can drive again.

Disqualification outside Great Britain

You cannot drive in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man if you’ve been banned from driving on your Great Britain driving licence.

Check when your disqualification ends

You can find the date your driving ban ends:

online

on the reminder form D27 that DVLA sends you 56 days before your disqualification ends

on the D27PH letter issued 90 days before certain drink-related disqualifications end

by contacting DVLA (if you’re in Northern Ireland, contact DVA)

Apply to reduce your disqualification period

You can ask the court to reduce your disqualification period after you’ve been banned from driving for:

2 years - if the disqualification was for fewer than 4 years

half the disqualification period - if it was for at least 4 but under 10 years

5 years - if the disqualification was for 10 years or more

Write to the court that disqualified you with the date of offence, date of conviction and any other supporting information.

The court will tell DVLA if it decides to reduce your disqualification period. If it does, you’ll need to apply for a new licence.

If the court refuses your request you have to wait 3 months before you can ask again.

If your disqualification is reduced

Car or motorbike licences

Lorry or bus licences

Apply for a new licence by sending DVLA a completed form D2 ‘Application for a lorry/bus licence’, available from the DVLA form ordering service. You must pay a fee.

Northern Ireland

Apply to the DVA to renew your licence.

If you need to retake your test

If the court told you that you must take another driving test before driving again, you’ll have to apply for a new provisional licence.

You can drive as soon as your ban is over and you’ve passed the tests you need to take.

How to get a new licence

There’s a different process in Northern Ireland.

If you’ve got a licence from an EU country

Do not apply for a provisional licence - you can use your EU driving licence to take the test instead.

Follow the usual rules for learning to drive until you retake your test and pass.

Changes to your name and address while disqualified

Tell DVLA if you change your name or address while disqualified.

Write with details of your old and new address, name if changed, your driving licence number (if known) and date of birth.

Disqualification for drink-driving

You can be disqualified if you’re found guilty of drink-driving. Depending on your offence, you can also be fined or sent to prison.

You’ll need to apply for a new licence after your disqualification ends.

If you’re disqualified from driving for 12 months or more, you might be able to reduce your ban by taking a drink-drive rehabilitation course.

High risk offenders

You’re a high risk offender if you:

were convicted of 2 drink driving offences within 10 years

refused to give the police a sample of breath, blood or urine to test for alcohol

refused to allow a sample of your blood to be tested for alcohol (for example if it was taken when you were unconscious)

You’ll get a D27PH renewal form 90 days before your disqualification ends. You must fill in the form and send it to DVLA to reapply for your licence.

Medical examination with a DVLA doctor

Once DVLA receive your application for a new licence, they’ll send you the doctors details so you can make an appointment.

You have to pay for your examination.

During the examination, you’ll:

complete a questionnaire about your medical history and use of alcohol

take part in a physical examination

have your blood tested

The process is different in Northern Ireland.

Disqualification for drug driving

You can be disqualified from driving for at least 1 year if you’re found guilty of drug driving. Depending on your offence, you can also be fined or sent to prison.

You must apply for a new licence before you can drive again.

5 years - if the disqualification was for 10 years or more

Driving disqualifications

Overview

You can be banned (disqualified) from driving if you are either:

convicted of a driving offence

get 12 or more penalty points (endorsements) within 3 years

You’ll get a summons in the post that tells you when you must go to court.

Some disqualification rules are different in Northern Ireland.

How long a driving ban will last

The court will decide how long the disqualification will last, based on how serious they think the offence is.

You can be banned from driving if you already have 12 or more penalty points on your licence. Your ban can last:

6 months, if you get 12 or more penalty points within 3 years

12 months, if you get a second disqualification within 3 years

2 years, if you get a third disqualification within 3 years

Disqualified for 56 days or more

If you’re disqualified for 56 days or more you must apply for a new licence before driving again.

You might also have to retake your driving test or take an extended driving test before getting your full licence. The court will tell you if you have to do this.

Disqualified for less than 56 days

View your driving licence record online to check the disqualification. You cannot drive until it has ended.

You do not need to apply for a new licence before you can drive again.

Disqualification outside Great Britain

You cannot drive in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man if you’ve been banned from driving on your Great Britain driving licence.

Check when your disqualification ends

You can find the date your driving ban ends:

online

on the reminder form D27 that DVLA sends you 56 days before your disqualification ends

on the D27PH letter issued 90 days before certain drink-related disqualifications end

by contacting DVLA (if you’re in Northern Ireland, contact DVA)

Apply to reduce your disqualification period

You can ask the court to reduce your disqualification period after you’ve been banned from driving for:

2 years - if the disqualification was for fewer than 4 years

half the disqualification period - if it was for at least 4 but under 10 years

5 years - if the disqualification was for 10 years or more

Write to the court that disqualified you with the date of offence, date of conviction and any other supporting information.

The court will tell DVLA if it decides to reduce your disqualification period. If it does, you’ll need to apply for a new licence.

If the court refuses your request you have to wait 3 months before you can ask again.

If your disqualification is reduced

Car or motorbike licences

Lorry or bus licences

Apply for a new licence by sending DVLA a completed form D2 ‘Application for a lorry/bus licence’, available from the DVLA form ordering service. You must pay a fee.

Northern Ireland

Apply to the DVA to renew your licence.

If you need to retake your test

If the court told you that you must take another driving test before driving again, you’ll have to apply for a new provisional licence.

You can drive as soon as your ban is over and you’ve passed the tests you need to take.

How to get a new licence

There’s a different process in Northern Ireland.

If you’ve got a licence from an EU country

Do not apply for a provisional licence - you can use your EU driving licence to take the test instead.

Follow the usual rules for learning to drive until you retake your test and pass.

Changes to your name and address while disqualified

Tell DVLA if you change your name or address while disqualified.

Write with details of your old and new address, name if changed, your driving licence number (if known) and date of birth.

Disqualification for drink-driving

You can be disqualified if you’re found guilty of drink-driving. Depending on your offence, you can also be fined or sent to prison.

You’ll need to apply for a new licence after your disqualification ends.

If you’re disqualified from driving for 12 months or more, you might be able to reduce your ban by taking a drink-drive rehabilitation course.

High risk offenders

You’re a high risk offender if you:

were convicted of 2 drink driving offences within 10 years

refused to give the police a sample of breath, blood or urine to test for alcohol

refused to allow a sample of your blood to be tested for alcohol (for example if it was taken when you were unconscious)

You’ll get a D27PH renewal form 90 days before your disqualification ends. You must fill in the form and send it to DVLA to reapply for your licence.

Medical examination with a DVLA doctor

Once DVLA receive your application for a new licence, they’ll send you the doctors details so you can make an appointment.

You have to pay for your examination.

During the examination, you’ll:

complete a questionnaire about your medical history and use of alcohol

take part in a physical examination

have your blood tested

The process is different in Northern Ireland.

Disqualification for drug driving

You can be disqualified from driving for at least 1 year if you’re found guilty of drug driving. Depending on your offence, you can also be fined or sent to prison.

You must apply for a new licence before you can drive again.

Driving disqualifications

Overview

You can be banned (disqualified) from driving if you are either:

convicted of a driving offence

get 12 or more penalty points (endorsements) within 3 years

You’ll get a summons in the post that tells you when you must go to court.

Some disqualification rules are different in Northern Ireland.

How long a driving ban will last

The court will decide how long the disqualification will last, based on how serious they think the offence is.

You can be banned from driving if you already have 12 or more penalty points on your licence. Your ban can last:

6 months, if you get 12 or more penalty points within 3 years

12 months, if you get a second disqualification within 3 years

2 years, if you get a third disqualification within 3 years

Disqualified for 56 days or more

If you’re disqualified for 56 days or more you must apply for a new licence before driving again.

You might also have to retake your driving test or take an extended driving test before getting your full licence. The court will tell you if you have to do this.

Disqualified for less than 56 days

View your driving licence record online to check the disqualification. You cannot drive until it has ended.

You do not need to apply for a new licence before you can drive again.

Disqualification outside Great Britain

You cannot drive in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man if you’ve been banned from driving on your Great Britain driving licence.

Check when your disqualification ends

You can find the date your driving ban ends:

online

on the reminder form D27 that DVLA sends you 56 days before your disqualification ends

on the D27PH letter issued 90 days before certain drink-related disqualifications end

by contacting DVLA (if you’re in Northern Ireland, contact DVA)

Apply to reduce your disqualification period

You can ask the court to reduce your disqualification period after you’ve been banned from driving for:

2 years - if the disqualification was for fewer than 4 years

half the disqualification period - if it was for at least 4 but under 10 years

5 years - if the disqualification was for 10 years or more

Write to the court that disqualified you with the date of offence, date of conviction and any other supporting information.

The court will tell DVLA if it decides to reduce your disqualification period. If it does, you’ll need to apply for a new licence.

If the court refuses your request you have to wait 3 months before you can ask again.

If your disqualification is reduced

Car or motorbike licences

Lorry or bus licences

Apply for a new licence by sending DVLA a completed form D2 ‘Application for a lorry/bus licence’, available from the DVLA form ordering service. You must pay a fee.

Northern Ireland

Apply to the DVA to renew your licence.

If you need to retake your test

If the court told you that you must take another driving test before driving again, you’ll have to apply for a new provisional licence.

You can drive as soon as your ban is over and you’ve passed the tests you need to take.

How to get a new licence

There’s a different process in Northern Ireland.

If you’ve got a licence from an EU country

Do not apply for a provisional licence - you can use your EU driving licence to take the test instead.

Follow the usual rules for learning to drive until you retake your test and pass.

Changes to your name and address while disqualified

Tell DVLA if you change your name or address while disqualified.

Write with details of your old and new address, name if changed, your driving licence number (if known) and date of birth.

Disqualification for drink-driving

You can be disqualified if you’re found guilty of drink-driving. Depending on your offence, you can also be fined or sent to prison.

You’ll need to apply for a new licence after your disqualification ends.

If you’re disqualified from driving for 12 months or more, you might be able to reduce your ban by taking a drink-drive rehabilitation course.

High risk offenders

You’re a high risk offender if you:

were convicted of 2 drink driving offences within 10 years

refused to give the police a sample of breath, blood or urine to test for alcohol

refused to allow a sample of your blood to be tested for alcohol (for example if it was taken when you were unconscious)

You’ll get a D27PH renewal form 90 days before your disqualification ends. You must fill in the form and send it to DVLA to reapply for your licence.

Medical examination with a DVLA doctor

Once DVLA receive your application for a new licence, they’ll send you the doctors details so you can make an appointment.

You have to pay for your examination.

During the examination, you’ll:

complete a questionnaire about your medical history and use of alcohol

take part in a physical examination

have your blood tested

The process is different in Northern Ireland.

Disqualification for drug driving

You can be disqualified from driving for at least 1 year if you’re found guilty of drug driving. Depending on your offence, you can also be fined or sent to prison.

You must apply for a new licence before you can drive again.

Driving disqualifications

Overview

You can be banned (disqualified) from driving if you are either:

convicted of a driving offence

get 12 or more penalty points (endorsements) within 3 years

You’ll get a summons in the post that tells you when you must go to court.

Some disqualification rules are different in Northern Ireland.

How long a driving ban will last

The court will decide how long the disqualification will last, based on how serious they think the offence is.

You can be banned from driving if you already have 12 or more penalty points on your licence. Your ban can last:

6 months, if you get 12 or more penalty points within 3 years

12 months, if you get a second disqualification within 3 years

2 years, if you get a third disqualification within 3 years

Disqualified for 56 days or more

If you’re disqualified for 56 days or more you must apply for a new licence before driving again.

You might also have to retake your driving test or take an extended driving test before getting your full licence. The court will tell you if you have to do this.

Disqualified for less than 56 days

View your driving licence record online to check the disqualification. You cannot drive until it has ended.

You do not need to apply for a new licence before you can drive again.

Disqualification outside Great Britain

You cannot drive in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man if you’ve been banned from driving on your Great Britain driving licence.

Check when your disqualification ends

You can find the date your driving ban ends:

online

on the reminder form D27 that DVLA sends you 56 days before your disqualification ends

on the D27PH letter issued 90 days before certain drink-related disqualifications end

by contacting DVLA (if you’re in Northern Ireland, contact DVA)

Apply to reduce your disqualification period

You can ask the court to reduce your disqualification period after you’ve been banned from driving for:

2 years - if the disqualification was for fewer than 4 years

half the disqualification period - if it was for at least 4 but under 10 years

5 years - if the disqualification was for 10 years or more

Write to the court that disqualified you with the date of offence, date of conviction and any other supporting information.

The court will tell DVLA if it decides to reduce your disqualification period. If it does, you’ll need to apply for a new licence.

If the court refuses your request you have to wait 3 months before you can ask again.

If your disqualification is reduced

Car or motorbike licences

Lorry or bus licences

Apply for a new licence by sending DVLA a completed form D2 ‘Application for a lorry/bus licence’, available from the DVLA form ordering service. You must pay a fee.

Northern Ireland

Apply to the DVA to renew your licence.

If you need to retake your test

If the court told you that you must take another driving test before driving again, you’ll have to apply for a new provisional licence.

You can drive as soon as your ban is over and you’ve passed the tests you need to take.

How to get a new licence

There’s a different process in Northern Ireland.

If you’ve got a licence from an EU country

Do not apply for a provisional licence - you can use your EU driving licence to take the test instead.

Follow the usual rules for learning to drive until you retake your test and pass.

Changes to your name and address while disqualified

Tell DVLA if you change your name or address while disqualified.

Write with details of your old and new address, name if changed, your driving licence number (if known) and date of birth.

Disqualification for drink-driving

You can be disqualified if you’re found guilty of drink-driving. Depending on your offence, you can also be fined or sent to prison.

You’ll need to apply for a new licence after your disqualification ends.

If you’re disqualified from driving for 12 months or more, you might be able to reduce your ban by taking a drink-drive rehabilitation course.

High risk offenders

You’re a high risk offender if you:

were convicted of 2 drink driving offences within 10 years

refused to give the police a sample of breath, blood or urine to test for alcohol

refused to allow a sample of your blood to be tested for alcohol (for example if it was taken when you were unconscious)

You’ll get a D27PH renewal form 90 days before your disqualification ends. You must fill in the form and send it to DVLA to reapply for your licence.

Medical examination with a DVLA doctor

Once DVLA receive your application for a new licence, they’ll send you the doctors details so you can make an appointment.

You have to pay for your examination.

During the examination, you’ll:

complete a questionnaire about your medical history and use of alcohol

take part in a physical examination

have your blood tested

The process is different in Northern Ireland.

Disqualification for drug driving

You can be disqualified from driving for at least 1 year if you’re found guilty of drug driving. Depending on your offence, you can also be fined or sent to prison.

You must apply for a new licence before you can drive again.

Driving disqualifications

Overview

You can be banned (disqualified) from driving if you are either:

convicted of a driving offence

get 12 or more penalty points (endorsements) within 3 years

You’ll get a summons in the post that tells you when you must go to court.

Some disqualification rules are different in Northern Ireland.

How long a driving ban will last

The court will decide how long the disqualification will last, based on how serious they think the offence is.

You can be banned from driving if you already have 12 or more penalty points on your licence. Your ban can last:

6 months, if you get 12 or more penalty points within 3 years

12 months, if you get a second disqualification within 3 years

2 years, if you get a third disqualification within 3 years

Disqualified for 56 days or more

If you’re disqualified for 56 days or more you must apply for a new licence before driving again.

You might also have to retake your driving test or take an extended driving test before getting your full licence. The court will tell you if you have to do this.

Disqualified for less than 56 days

View your driving licence record online to check the disqualification. You cannot drive until it has ended.

You do not need to apply for a new licence before you can drive again.

Disqualification outside Great Britain

You cannot drive in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man if you’ve been banned from driving on your Great Britain driving licence.

Check when your disqualification ends

You can find the date your driving ban ends:

online

on the reminder form D27 that DVLA sends you 56 days before your disqualification ends

on the D27PH letter issued 90 days before certain drink-related disqualifications end

by contacting DVLA (if you’re in Northern Ireland, contact DVA)

Apply to reduce your disqualification period

You can ask the court to reduce your disqualification period after you’ve been banned from driving for:

2 years - if the disqualification was for fewer than 4 years

half the disqualification period - if it was for at least 4 but under 10 years

5 years - if the disqualification was for 10 years or more

Write to the court that disqualified you with the date of offence, date of conviction and any other supporting information.

The court will tell DVLA if it decides to reduce your disqualification period. If it does, you’ll need to apply for a new licence.

If the court refuses your request you have to wait 3 months before you can ask again.

If your disqualification is reduced

Car or motorbike licences

Lorry or bus licences

Apply for a new licence by sending DVLA a completed form D2 ‘Application for a lorry/bus licence’, available from the DVLA form ordering service. You must pay a fee.

Northern Ireland

Apply to the DVA to renew your licence.

If you need to retake your test

If the court told you that you must take another driving test before driving again, you’ll have to apply for a new provisional licence.

You can drive as soon as your ban is over and you’ve passed the tests you need to take.

How to get a new licence

There’s a different process in Northern Ireland.

If you’ve got a licence from an EU country

Do not apply for a provisional licence - you can use your EU driving licence to take the test instead.

Follow the usual rules for learning to drive until you retake your test and pass.

Changes to your name and address while disqualified

Tell DVLA if you change your name or address while disqualified.

Write with details of your old and new address, name if changed, your driving licence number (if known) and date of birth.

Disqualification for drink-driving

You can be disqualified if you’re found guilty of drink-driving. Depending on your offence, you can also be fined or sent to prison.

You’ll need to apply for a new licence after your disqualification ends.

If you’re disqualified from driving for 12 months or more, you might be able to reduce your ban by taking a drink-drive rehabilitation course.

High risk offenders

You’re a high risk offender if you:

were convicted of 2 drink driving offences within 10 years

refused to give the police a sample of breath, blood or urine to test for alcohol

refused to allow a sample of your blood to be tested for alcohol (for example if it was taken when you were unconscious)

You’ll get a D27PH renewal form 90 days before your disqualification ends. You must fill in the form and send it to DVLA to reapply for your licence.

Medical examination with a DVLA doctor

Once DVLA receive your application for a new licence, they’ll send you the doctors details so you can make an appointment.

You have to pay for your examination.

During the examination, you’ll:

complete a questionnaire about your medical history and use of alcohol

take part in a physical examination

have your blood tested

The process is different in Northern Ireland.

Disqualification for drug driving

You can be disqualified from driving for at least 1 year if you’re found guilty of drug driving. Depending on your offence, you can also be fined or sent to prison.

You must apply for a new licence before you can drive again.


My friend Ann has decided to stop her university course due to the unfortunate loss of her parents. She is mentally disturbed and the issue has left her traumatised. She is recieving student finance. Can she stop the student finance?

If you leave or suspend your studies you must:

Student finance if you suspend or leave your course

Overview

stop your student finance

repay any student finance you are not entitled to

Your student finance includes:

Maintenance Loans

Tuition Fee Loans

grants and bursaries

How much you need to repay and when you need to repay it depends on:

what type of student finance you have

when in the academic year you leave your course

whether you’re planning to return to your course or not

If you suspend because of illness or another serious personal reason, you might still be able to get student finance while you’re away.

Stopping your student finance

You must stop your student finance payments as soon as you decide to suspend your studies or leave your course early.

This will reduce any repayments you may need to make.

Student finance covers:

Maintenance Loans

Tuition Fee Loans

grants and bursaries

How to stop your student finance payments

You must:

tell your university or college that you’re leaving or suspending your course

contact Student Finance England if you’re a student from England

The way to make contact is different if you’re a student from:

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland

If you suspend your studies you can usually postpone your student finance payments until you return.

Repaying your student finance

How much and when you have to repay depends on:

the type of student finance you have

Your university or college will tell your student finance provider the date you finished your studies.

Maintenance Loans

Your student finance provider will reassess your Maintenance Loan based on the number of days you attended your course.

If any of your loan covers the period after you’ve left your course, this counts as an overpayment and you’ll need to repay it straight away.

The Student Loans Company will write and tell you how much you must repay. If you cannot repay the full amount, you can ask them to set up a repayment plan.

The rest of your Maintenance Loan is repaid in the usual way once you start earning over the threshold amount.

If you’re planning to return to your studies

The amount you were overpaid will usually be taken off your student finance payments when you return, so you do not have to repay straight away.

Grants and bursaries

If any of your grant or bursary covers the period after you’ve left your course, this counts as an overpayment and you’ll need to repay it straight away.

There are exceptions for:

childcare grants taken in or after the 2019 to 2020 academic year

grants taken in or before the 2016 to 2017 academic year

You do not have to pay back overpayments on these grants until you’ve finished your course.

Tuition Fee Loans

You’ll need to repay at least some of your Tuition Fee loan for the year that you suspend or leave your course.

You’ll need to pay back:

25% of the loan for the year if you suspend or leave in term 1

50% of the loan for the year if you suspend or leave in term 2

all the loan for the year if you suspend or leave in term 3

This is repaid in the usual way once you start earning over the threshold amount.

Getting student finance while you suspend your studies

You might be able to get student finance while you’re away from your course if you suspend due to illness, bereavement or another serious personal reason.

You might also be able to get Disabled Students’ Allowances.

You can apply for funding if you return to your studies.

If you suspend because you’re seriously ill

You might be able to get a Maintenance Loan for 60 days after you suspend your course.

Your university or college must tell the Student Loans Company (SLC) about your situation.

Apply for extra money

If you’re having financial difficulties after 60 days you might be able to get more Maintenance Loan.

Apply to Student Finance England with:

a covering letter explaining your situation, including your customer reference number

evidence to support your claim, such as a bank statement or copy of your tenancy agreement

The address you send your application to is different if you’re a student from:

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland

You might also be able to get extra money from your university or college hardship fund.

If you suspend for another serious personal reason

You might still be able to get a Maintenance Loan for some or all the time you’re away from your studies.

Apply to Student Finance England with:

a letter explaining why you have to suspend your course, including your customer reference number and the academic year it relates to

evidence to support your claim

Supporting evidence includes things like:

a letter from your doctor or social services

a letter from your university or college

a bank statement

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland

You might need to send more than one piece of evidence.

SLC will send you a letter explaining how much loan money you can get. You’ll usually get a decision within 6 weeks.

stop your student finance

Overview

If you leave or suspend your studies you must:

stop your student finance

repay any student finance you are not entitled to

Your student finance includes:

Maintenance Loans

Tuition Fee Loans

grants and bursaries

How much you need to repay and when you need to repay it depends on:

what type of student finance you have

when in the academic year you leave your course

whether you’re planning to return to your course or not

Stopping your student finance

This will reduce any repayments you may need to make.

Student finance covers:

Maintenance Loans

Tuition Fee Loans

grants and bursaries

How to stop your student finance payments

You must:

tell your university or college that you’re leaving or suspending your course

contact Student Finance England if you’re a student from England

The way to make contact is different if you’re a student from:

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland

Repaying your student finance

How much and when you have to repay depends on:

the type of student finance you have

Maintenance Loans

If you’re planning to return to your studies

Grants and bursaries

There are exceptions for:

childcare grants taken in or after the 2019 to 2020 academic year

grants taken in or before the 2016 to 2017 academic year

Tuition Fee Loans

You’ll need to pay back:

25% of the loan for the year if you suspend or leave in term 1

50% of the loan for the year if you suspend or leave in term 2

all the loan for the year if you suspend or leave in term 3

This is repaid in the usual way once you start earning over the threshold amount.

Getting student finance while you suspend your studies

You might also be able to get Disabled Students’ Allowances.

You can apply for funding if you return to your studies.

If you suspend because you’re seriously ill

Apply for extra money

Apply to Student Finance England with:

a covering letter explaining your situation, including your customer reference number

The address you send your application to is different if you’re a student from:

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland

If you suspend for another serious personal reason

Apply to Student Finance England with:

evidence to support your claim

Supporting evidence includes things like:

a letter from your doctor or social services

a letter from your university or college

a bank statement

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland

You might need to send more than one piece of evidence.

Overview

If you leave or suspend your studies you must:

stop your student finance

repay any student finance you are not entitled to

Your student finance includes:

Maintenance Loans

Tuition Fee Loans

grants and bursaries

How much you need to repay and when you need to repay it depends on:

what type of student finance you have

when in the academic year you leave your course

whether you’re planning to return to your course or not

Stopping your student finance

This will reduce any repayments you may need to make.

Student finance covers:

Maintenance Loans

Tuition Fee Loans

grants and bursaries

How to stop your student finance payments

You must:

tell your university or college that you’re leaving or suspending your course

contact Student Finance England if you’re a student from England

The way to make contact is different if you’re a student from:

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland

Repaying your student finance

How much and when you have to repay depends on:

the type of student finance you have

Maintenance Loans

If you’re planning to return to your studies

Grants and bursaries

There are exceptions for:

childcare grants taken in or after the 2019 to 2020 academic year

grants taken in or before the 2016 to 2017 academic year

Tuition Fee Loans

You’ll need to pay back:

25% of the loan for the year if you suspend or leave in term 1

50% of the loan for the year if you suspend or leave in term 2

all the loan for the year if you suspend or leave in term 3

This is repaid in the usual way once you start earning over the threshold amount.

Getting student finance while you suspend your studies

You might also be able to get Disabled Students’ Allowances.

You can apply for funding if you return to your studies.

If you suspend because you’re seriously ill

Apply for extra money

Apply to Student Finance England with:

a covering letter explaining your situation, including your customer reference number

The address you send your application to is different if you’re a student from:

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland

If you suspend for another serious personal reason

Apply to Student Finance England with:

evidence to support your claim

Supporting evidence includes things like:

a letter from your doctor or social services

a letter from your university or college

a bank statement

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland

You might need to send more than one piece of evidence.


I have been approved for a travel grant to study abroad in Japan, but I do not know how much I will receive. My household's income is £33,000 per annum. What amount of funding would I be able to receive?

You may get a grant to cover some of your travel expenses if you normally live in England and:

Studying abroad: travel grants for students (England)

Overview

you’re studying abroad as part of your course, or on an Erasmus study or Erasmus work placement

you’re a medical or dental student studying abroad or attending a clinical placement in the UK

You do not have to pay back a travel grant. There are rules on eligibility and how much you’ll get.

There’s a different process if you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

What you'll get

The amount you get depends on your total household income. This means your income, if you have one, combined with that of your parents or guardians, or spouse or partner if you live with them. Do not count income from other family members you live with.

You must pay the ﬁrst £303 of your travel costs - and your travel grant will be reduced by £1 for each £8.73 of household income over £39,796.

Keep your travel costs as low as possible without being impractical.

If you’re studying abroad

You can apply for:

up to 3 return journeys between your home and the overseas institution during a full academic year abroad

help with essential expenses, medical insurance and travel visas

You may be able to apply for your children’s travel costs if you’re a single parent.

Medical or dental students doing a clinical placement in the UK

You can apply for travel costs between your home and the hospital or facility where you’re doing your placement.

Eligibility

Your permanent home address must be in England.

If you’re studying abroad

You must attend an overseas institution for at least half of each academic term. This period of study can be compulsory or optional.

You can also get a travel grant if you’re on an Erasmus study or Erasmus work placement. Other work placements do not count.

If you’re doing a clinical placement in the UK

The placement must be an essential part of your medical or dental course. You will not get a travel grant if you’re eligible for means-tested bursaries or awards from the Department of Health.

You can apply if you get student ﬁnance that depends on your household income, for example a Maintenance Loan or Maintenance Grant.

How to apply

If you’re studying abroad

Apply for student finance for your study abroad using your student finance account. You can register and set up an account if you do not already have one.

You’ll then receive a course abroad form.

Once you’ve filled in and returned the form, you’ll automatically receive a travel grant form if you’re eligible.

Keep all receipts for any expenses you want to apply for - you’ll need to send copies when you apply.

The money will be paid direct into your bank account.

After applying for student finance for clinical study you’ll automatically receive a travel grant form if you’re eligible.

you’re studying abroad as part of your course, or on an Erasmus study or Erasmus work placement

Overview

You may get a grant to cover some of your travel expenses if you normally live in England and:

you’re a medical or dental student studying abroad or attending a clinical placement in the UK

You do not have to pay back a travel grant. There are rules on eligibility and how much you’ll get.

There’s a different process if you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

What you'll get

Keep your travel costs as low as possible without being impractical.

If you’re studying abroad

You can apply for:

up to 3 return journeys between your home and the overseas institution during a full academic year abroad

help with essential expenses, medical insurance and travel visas

You may be able to apply for your children’s travel costs if you’re a single parent.

Medical or dental students doing a clinical placement in the UK

You can apply for travel costs between your home and the hospital or facility where you’re doing your placement.

Eligibility

Your permanent home address must be in England.

If you’re studying abroad

If you’re doing a clinical placement in the UK

How to apply

If you’re studying abroad

You’ll then receive a course abroad form.

Keep all receipts for any expenses you want to apply for - you’ll need to send copies when you apply.

The money will be paid direct into your bank account.

Overview

You may get a grant to cover some of your travel expenses if you normally live in England and:

you’re studying abroad as part of your course, or on an Erasmus study or Erasmus work placement

you’re a medical or dental student studying abroad or attending a clinical placement in the UK

You do not have to pay back a travel grant. There are rules on eligibility and how much you’ll get.

There’s a different process if you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

What you'll get

Keep your travel costs as low as possible without being impractical.

If you’re studying abroad

You can apply for:

up to 3 return journeys between your home and the overseas institution during a full academic year abroad

help with essential expenses, medical insurance and travel visas

You may be able to apply for your children’s travel costs if you’re a single parent.

Medical or dental students doing a clinical placement in the UK

You can apply for travel costs between your home and the hospital or facility where you’re doing your placement.

Eligibility

Your permanent home address must be in England.

If you’re studying abroad

If you’re doing a clinical placement in the UK

How to apply

If you’re studying abroad

You’ll then receive a course abroad form.

Keep all receipts for any expenses you want to apply for - you’ll need to send copies when you apply.

The money will be paid direct into your bank account.

Overview

You may get a grant to cover some of your travel expenses if you normally live in England and:

you’re studying abroad as part of your course, or on an Erasmus study or Erasmus work placement

you’re a medical or dental student studying abroad or attending a clinical placement in the UK

You do not have to pay back a travel grant. There are rules on eligibility and how much you’ll get.

There’s a different process if you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

What you'll get

Keep your travel costs as low as possible without being impractical.

If you’re studying abroad

You can apply for:

up to 3 return journeys between your home and the overseas institution during a full academic year abroad

help with essential expenses, medical insurance and travel visas

You may be able to apply for your children’s travel costs if you’re a single parent.

Medical or dental students doing a clinical placement in the UK

You can apply for travel costs between your home and the hospital or facility where you’re doing your placement.

Eligibility

Your permanent home address must be in England.

If you’re studying abroad

If you’re doing a clinical placement in the UK

How to apply

If you’re studying abroad

You’ll then receive a course abroad form.

Keep all receipts for any expenses you want to apply for - you’ll need to send copies when you apply.

The money will be paid direct into your bank account.

You can apply for:

Overview

You may get a grant to cover some of your travel expenses if you normally live in England and:

you’re studying abroad as part of your course, or on an Erasmus study or Erasmus work placement

you’re a medical or dental student studying abroad or attending a clinical placement in the UK

You do not have to pay back a travel grant. There are rules on eligibility and how much you’ll get.

There’s a different process if you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

What you'll get

Keep your travel costs as low as possible without being impractical.

If you’re studying abroad

You can apply for:

up to 3 return journeys between your home and the overseas institution during a full academic year abroad

help with essential expenses, medical insurance and travel visas

You may be able to apply for your children’s travel costs if you’re a single parent.

Medical or dental students doing a clinical placement in the UK

You can apply for travel costs between your home and the hospital or facility where you’re doing your placement.

Eligibility

Your permanent home address must be in England.

If you’re studying abroad

If you’re doing a clinical placement in the UK

How to apply

If you’re studying abroad

You’ll then receive a course abroad form.

Keep all receipts for any expenses you want to apply for - you’ll need to send copies when you apply.

The money will be paid direct into your bank account.

up to 3 return journeys between your home and the overseas institution during a full academic year abroad

Overview

You may get a grant to cover some of your travel expenses if you normally live in England and:

you’re studying abroad as part of your course, or on an Erasmus study or Erasmus work placement

you’re a medical or dental student studying abroad or attending a clinical placement in the UK

You do not have to pay back a travel grant. There are rules on eligibility and how much you’ll get.

There’s a different process if you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

What you'll get

Keep your travel costs as low as possible without being impractical.

If you’re studying abroad

You can apply for:

help with essential expenses, medical insurance and travel visas

You may be able to apply for your children’s travel costs if you’re a single parent.

Medical or dental students doing a clinical placement in the UK

You can apply for travel costs between your home and the hospital or facility where you’re doing your placement.

Eligibility

Your permanent home address must be in England.

If you’re studying abroad

If you’re doing a clinical placement in the UK

How to apply

If you’re studying abroad

You’ll then receive a course abroad form.

Keep all receipts for any expenses you want to apply for - you’ll need to send copies when you apply.

The money will be paid direct into your bank account.

Overview

You may get a grant to cover some of your travel expenses if you normally live in England and:

you’re studying abroad as part of your course, or on an Erasmus study or Erasmus work placement

you’re a medical or dental student studying abroad or attending a clinical placement in the UK

You do not have to pay back a travel grant. There are rules on eligibility and how much you’ll get.

There’s a different process if you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

What you'll get

Keep your travel costs as low as possible without being impractical.

If you’re studying abroad

You can apply for:

up to 3 return journeys between your home and the overseas institution during a full academic year abroad

help with essential expenses, medical insurance and travel visas

You may be able to apply for your children’s travel costs if you’re a single parent.

Medical or dental students doing a clinical placement in the UK

You can apply for travel costs between your home and the hospital or facility where you’re doing your placement.

Eligibility

Your permanent home address must be in England.

If you’re studying abroad

If you’re doing a clinical placement in the UK

How to apply

If you’re studying abroad

You’ll then receive a course abroad form.

Keep all receipts for any expenses you want to apply for - you’ll need to send copies when you apply.

The money will be paid direct into your bank account.


I made an appeal over a decision on the minor development of my property. It's clearly ludicrous that it's gone this far. What is the next step as I'm not beaten yet?

You can appeal a minor commercial development decision if you disagree with it.

Appeal a minor commercial development decision

When you can appeal

Your local planning authority makes decisions on applications about minor commercial developments, for example ground floor alterations like shop fronts and security shutters.

There’s no fee for appealing.

Only the person who made the application can appeal.

Deadline for appealing

You must appeal within 12 weeks of the date on the decision notice from your local planning authority.

The deadline’s earlier if you’ve received an enforcement notice - you must appeal within 28 days of the notice.

How to appeal

Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you cannot currently appeal by post. You can still appeal to the Planning Inspectorate online.

If you want to appeal more than one decision you must make a separate appeal for each.

You also need to send a copy of your appeal, including all the supporting documents, to your local planning authority. The Planning Inspectorate will tell you how to do this.

Documents you must provide

You’ll need to submit copies of:

your original application

the site ownership certificate

the local planning authority’s decision notice

You’ll also need to submit:

a map of the surrounding area

any other documents that directly support your appeal, for example your grounds for appeal

You can upload these documents when you appeal.

Comment on an appeal

No-one can comment on a minor commercial development decision appeal.

Your local planning authority must tell anyone who has commented on the original application (‘interested parties’) that there’s an appeal.

They have to do this within 5 working days of the appeal being started by the Planning Inspectorate.

Read the detailed guidance about taking part in an appeal.

After you appeal

The Planning Inspectorate will check your appeal to make sure it’s valid. They’ll tell you what happens next and how long your appeal may take.

The Planning Inspectorate will then consider your appeal. Check how long planning appeal decisions normally take.

If anyone behaves unreasonably

You can apply for an ‘award of costs’ if anyone involved in your appeal has cost you money by behaving unreasonably, for example missing deadlines. You can have costs awarded against you too.

You can complain about how the Planning Inspectorate handled your appeal. There’s no time limit for complaints.

If you disagree with the appeal decision

You can challenge the decision in the High Court if you think the Planning Inspectorate made a legal mistake.

Get advice from a lawyer if you’re unsure about this.


I am 15 years old and wish to volunteer for a local charity. At the age of 13 I received a caution from the police for writing graffiti on a bus shelter, which will show up on any DBS Check run on me until I'm 16. Can I still do volunteer work, or do I need to wait for the caution to expire?

If you have a criminal record you can still volunteer in most roles, depending on your offences. You might need a Disclosure and Barring Service check if you want to volunteer with children or vulnerable adults.

Volunteer opportunities, rights and expenses

Find volunteer opportunities

You can find volunteering opportunities on the:

Do-it website

Volunteering Matters website for young, older and disabled volunteers

National Association for Voluntary and Community Action website

local Volunteer Centre website

Reach Volunteering website for volunteers with specific skills - like accountancy, marketing, law, management, mentoring or IT

Volunteering Wales website

Volunteer Scotland website

Find out about volunteering during coronavirus (COVID-19).

Volunteers' rights

You do not have a contract of employment as a volunteer, so you do not have the same rights as an employee or worker.

You will usually be given a volunteer agreement that explains:

the level of supervision and support you’ll get

what training you’ll get

whether you’re covered under the organisation’s employer or public liability insurance

health and safety issues

any expenses the organisation will cover

The volunteer agreement is not compulsory, but sets out what you can expect from the organisation you’re volunteering for. It does not form a contract between you and the organisation.

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has information on volunteers’ legal status.

When you can volunteer

Age limits

There’s no upper age limit on volunteering, but anyone over 70 will need to follow public health advice on volunteering during coronavirus (COVID-19).

Some organisations’ insurance policies do not cover you if you’re under 16 or over a certain age.

You cannot work for a profit-making organisation if you’re under 14, even if you’re not paid.

Your local council might have extra rules about the work you can do as a young person.

Volunteering and benefits

You can volunteer and claim benefits if:

the only money you get from volunteering is to cover expenses, like travel costs

you continue to meet the conditions of the benefit you get

Criminal records

Pay and expenses

You are not paid for your time as a volunteer, but you may get money to cover expenses. This is usually limited to food, drink, travel or any equipment you need to buy.

You may need to pay tax on your driving expenses if you get back more than you spent.

You might be classed as an employee or worker rather than a volunteer if you get any other payment, reward or benefit in kind. This includes any promise of a contract or paid work in the future.

You get certain employment rights if you’re classed as an employee or worker, like getting the minimum wage.