5.1 Welfare
5.2 Public Funds
5.3 Benefits
5.4 Dire Straits
5.5 Tax

5.1 Welfare

As a Maldivian student in UK you are not entitled to the use of public funds. Your entry clearance (visa) is subject to this condition. International students in UK are expected provide for themselves and any dependants without recourse to public funds.

5.2 Public Funds

Public funds are services like Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefits. Claiming any of the above mentioned benefits or from any other public fund amounts to violation of the immigration rules.

5.3 Benefits

Although full-time International students are not allowed to claim from public funds, there are number of benefits that they may be entitled to. These benefits are not classed as public funds and include:

1. Health treatment form NHS
2. Free prescriptions
3. Exemption from Council Tax
4. Free state schools

5.4 Dire Straits

If you are in dire straits, you might be able to claim Income Support without affecting your immigration status. This is only for extreme emergencies.

In such situations you need to apply to your local Benefits Agency office. This is an exception to the normal rules, where successful applicants are provided ninety per cent of Income Support to a maximum of six weeks. This could also include Housing Benefit and children's personal allowances.

5.5 Tax

If you or your dependent(s) work in UK, you and/or dependants will normally be subject to same tax regulation as UK residents.

For more information on taxation, please try the Inland Revenue web pages or call your local Tax Enquiry Centre.

There is almost always a welfare officer and/or international student adviser at each and every institution of education. They can be source of great help and comfort. Information can also be found on the British Council and the DfEE web pages.