Disabled Students Allowance is an important resource open to students who require additional support. The application process for the 2016/2017 academic year is now open. It is important to remember that it is your responsibility to complete the application form and obtain your own medical and psychological evidence.
This is in order to assess eligibility for the scheme – which is usually undertaken via a study needs assessment.
What disabilities qualify?
The starting point is to consider the definition of disability within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010. This provides that a person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment and the impairment has a substantial and long term adverse effect on the ability to carry out normal day to day activities.
As a higher education student living in England (although a separate scheme applies to Wales – still referred to as disabled students allowance) , you can apply for a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) if you have a disability, including a:
- long-term health condition
- mental health condition
- specific learning difficulty, eg dyslexia
Is it assessed on means?
The support is not means assessed as it depends on your assessed need. The English Government has issued a chart reproduced below -
The benefit is paid on top of other student finance and does not have to be repaid. The amount received depends on the assessment and your course intensity – part time students may receive less.
2016 to 2017 academic year
Type of student Specialist equipment allowance Non-medical helper allowance General allowance
Full-time Up to £5,212 for the whole course or £5332 in Wales Up to £20,725 a year or £21,181 in Wales Up to £1,741 a year (or £1785 in Wales)
Part-time Up to £5,212 for the whole course Up to £15,543 a year Up to £1,305 a year
Welsh students can also received support for additional travel costs as a consequence of your condition.
Postgraduates can get a single allowance of up to £10,362 a year.
These figures are the maximum amounts - most students get less.
The scheme encourages students to obtain their own medical evidence to include psychologist evidence to determine the scope of disabled students allowance. This is particularly in respect of those claiming to be suffering from dyslexia dysplaxia or some other learning disability.
Sinclairslaw specialise in helping students secure the right suppprt. Disabled students allowance is an area that the team can assist you with as well as securing support later in life at the workplace under the Access to Work Scheme.
If you are currently at school with a statement of special needs or an EHCP ( Education and health care plan) - it is important to check the contents of the wording as this will often become a vital piece of evidence to help secure the proper amount of disabled students allowance.
