Disabled allowances may be paid to a student in respect of disability-related expenditure incurred because of attendance on the course; i.e. expenses over and above those incurred by able-bodied students on the same course. There are three types of allowances for a disabled student:
1. Special Equipment Allowance of up to £5,030 spread over the whole duration of the course - may cover any major items of equipment for which the need arises from the student’s disability and which is necessary if the student is to benefit fully from the course. This allowance is payable at any time during the course but must not exceed the maximum prescribed limit.
2. Non-medical Helpers Allowance of up to £20,000 (up to £15,000 for part time students reduced pro rata) per year may be paid for expenditure on helpers such as readers and notetakers if the student is to benefit fully from the course.
3. General Disabled Student’s Allowance of up to £1,680 per year (up to £1,260 for part time students reduced pro-rata). This may be claimed, for instance, when as a result of the disability, the student has higher heating, clothing, dietary or telephone expenses, than if they were not on the course.
Assistance may also be available for additional travel costs a student may have to pay as a result of their disability.
N.B. Total maximum grant for disabled Postgraduate students is £10,000.
Stage 1
Students wishing to claim any of these allowances should first establish their eligibility by completing Form DSA1 ‘Application for Disabled Students’ Allowances for the academic year 2008 / 09’. They should attach evidence of the exact nature of the disability and the effect this will have on their studies.
If you are physically disabled, or have mental-health difficulties, you will need to provide medical proof of your disability, such as a letter from your doctor.
Alternatively, if you have a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, you will need to provide evidence of your dyslexia from a psychologist or specialist teacher holding a current practising professional certificate in assessing specific learning difficulties. The evidence provided should be from an assessment done after you attained the age of 16. If your diagnosis or last assessment was carried out before the age of 16, you will normally need to undergo a ‘top-up’ assessment to provide an update on your current performance in reading, writing and spelling.
Unfortunately, any costs incurred in establishing that the disability exists cannot be met.
Stage 2
As there are wide variations in the equipment requirements and needs of individual students, once the student’s eligibility has been established the student will be asked to obtain an assessment of need from one of the Nationally Accredited Assessment Centres, which have registered with the Quality Assurance Group. The assessment is a meeting between you and an assessor, a person qualified by their experience and knowledge of the equipment and support that students with disabilities (including dyslexia) need to study successfully at University.
The assessment should demonstrate contact with the host institution so it is in your own interest to liaise with the student support office at the University to ensure that if any equipment is recommended, it will be compatible with the University software. Some Universities do have special Disability Officers who can guide students through the process and some have their own Assessment Centres attached to the University.
The cost of the assessment can be met from the DSA and the Accredited Assessment Centre should bill the local authority direct. Authorisation for this is required from the student, and you should therefore ensure you complete the Section of the DSA1 Form which will also enable the local authority to pay the supplier direct for equipment and the University for any non-medical help should this be required. In the case of first year students no payments can be authorised until the student has an unconditional offer of a place. Once a payment has been made, should the student then decide not to take up the place then a full refund would be sought of any payments already made.
Stages 3 and 4
Once the assessment of need has been completed and an estimate of the cost of equipment supplied, the Student Finance Office will write and confirm what has been approved. The student can then place an order with the recommended supplier. The supplier should invoice the council direct quoting the student’s name. Only the equipment recommended should be purchased. No payments will be made until the student submits signed delivery notes confirming that the goods or services have been received.
It will be necessary for you to complete and return the DSA1 Form before your application can be processed. This should be completed and returned with the evidence of your disability.
Please also note that if you do not take out insurance and the equipment is stolen or damaged, any replacement costs cannot be met out of the allowance. Any additional costs in upgrading your contents insurance can be reimbursed upon submission of detailed certification of payment.
For further information see the booklet ‘BRIDGING THE GAP’ published by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills or see the website Direct.gov - Student Finance
This information is for general guidance only and is not a substitute for the
Student Support Regulations which determine entitlement.
Student Finance Office
Goldsmith House
Hamilton Place
Chester
CH1 1SE
Tel: 0845 002 3840 or 01244 973840
Student Finance Direct Customer Services Helpline: 08456 077 577 Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5.30pm. |