PHD Stipend and Universal Credit

Client is a single mother who’s going to be receiving Tax Free Stipend from the University that’s she’s doing her PHD with - have been having a look into how this is treated by Universal Credit, it’s quite difficult to get an exact answer.

From what I can gather it will treated as Earned Income - though I wasn’t 100% on this.

Would be very grateful for any input from people who’ve dealt with this before.

I think it will just be treated as a grant. See the definition from UC Reg 68(7) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/376/regulation/68

“grant” means any kind of educational grant or award, excluding a student loan or a payment made under a scheme to enable persons under the age of 21 to complete courses of education or training that are not advanced education;

From the Spotlight obtained by Owen Stevens, which he posted on here earlier today:
https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/14583/#91104

PHD stipend

The stipend is a non-repayable yearly sum provided to doctoral students to cover their living costs. This includes outgoings such as rent, food, bills and basic travel.

PHD stipend payments are treated as grant income and is taken into account in full after first applying the usual £110 per AP disregard.

Thanks very much for the responses, very helpful.