Afghan Chevening Scholars

Hi,

Has anyone done any work with the recent cohort of Afghan Chevening Scholars? We have four families in our LA. Normally the scholars come to the UK alone and don’t fall into the UC arena but due to recent events there are now families included.

I am struggling to get clarification from DWP regarding a monthly stipend payment made to the scholar by the Chevening organisation and whether this is disregarded for UC purposes. I have heard second hand from DWP policy (via local JC) that the stipend is counted as income as it’s an educational grant (which is what I think) but now a local work coach thinks it possibly is disregarded, as do Chevening. We have now reached an impasse were the amount isn’t being counted but the potential UC overpamyents are racking up.

Bit niche but I would be grateful if anyone else has had experience of this and would let me know the outcome.