DSA - Disabled Student Allowance

CheekyMonkey22

Thinking about going back to Uni in September to do a Masters, probably part time. From what I can establish, as I have a first degree I'm not eligible for a student finance. I am however disabled, claiming ESA (Support Group) and DLA. My plan, so far, is to apply for DSA.

Few issues, anyone got experience of:
a) managing Masters with disability - person-specific obviously, but personal experience, having time off uni for medical appt etc
b) Uni support
c) Level of DSA granted - who got what, for what?
d) Effect on ESA - part time vs full time, deductions
e) Anything "I wish I'd know before" I applied, started study, etc

skipsmum

No idea about Masters (I'm a first year UG) but uni have been hugely supportive at every level. The DSA was all sorted out ready for me, I have a lot of extra support available if and when I want it (both classroom LSA and personal mentor), and they allow me time off for illness, appointments and deadline extensions etc. RE DSA, I had an assessment and was given 6 hours a week LSA, 2 hours a week mentor, 6 hours total computer skills lessons, my macbook and all the software I need.
Apply for the DSA early because it takes a few months to sort out.

System

As you are not eligible for student finance, I don't think you are eligible for DSA.

From direct.gov

Who can get DSAs

You can apply for DSAs if:

• your condition affects your ability to study
• you qualify for student finance – see ‘Who qualifies for student finance’
• you’re an undergraduate or postgraduate (including Open University or distance learning students)
• your course lasts at least one year

mynameistallulah

!!!!!! wrote: »

As you are not eligible for student finance, I don't think you are eligible for DSA.

From direct.gov

That is not correct - I have claimed DSA for part time postgrad study. The direct.gov quote refers to initial qualification, mainly relating to residence.

OP, experiences of disabled people vary massively at university. Mine have been mixed, I had to withdraw from a course due to an unsupportive course leader, but then went on to do a course where I received excellent support.

I think you will find lots of DSA experiences on the Student board?

CheekyMonkey22

Thanks for all your replies so far.

I definitely qualify for DSA, the decision is what level more than anything. And whether I can afford to go with my reductions in my incomings.

It was a toss up between posting on student or disability board - thought I'd get a more tailored response here. If I can't work full time, I certainly am not going to study and to work to fund my course, with the best will in the world (and I have plenty of will!).

MrsManda

What you will be entitled to regarding DSA really depends on what your disability is, how it will or may affect your studies and what the scheme can offer in terms of help to offset these problems.
Have you had a look at the information on direct.gov as to what kind of help DSA can offer?
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/EducationAndTraining/HigherEducation/DG_10034898

I've not studied at Masters level with a disability but I have found that the support given by tutors/university while studying at UG level to be very good. In terms of hospital appointments etc... I presume you are asking about how these are dealt with in terms of missing lectures/tutorials?
I've found that providing you do your best to avoid missing compulsory lectures/tutorials and inform the tutors, especially your personal tutor of what you're missing and why then they will help you catch up. I think the key thing is to remember that they cannot help you if they don't have the full information and know what's going on.

Not sure about ESA, the benefits board may have better answers about that. Are you claiming income based or contributions based? I know my contributions based ESA isn't affected by me studying at the Open University as long as I still meet the criteria.

The DWP guidance for ESA states:

ESA(Cont)
41551 Where a claimant is entitled to ESA(Cont), being in education has no effect on entitlement to benefit. But see DMG 41046 et seq for guidance on how education affects ESA(Cont) for people claiming under the youth rules.

ESA(IR)
41552 Being in education affects entitlement to ESA(IR)1. However, a claimant who is
1. in education and
2. entitled to DLA
may have entitlement to ESA(IR).

Income
41553 The income of a person in education may be taken into account when deciding entitlement to ESA(IR). See DMG Chapter 51 for full guidance.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dmgch41.pdf

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dmgch51.pdf

DLA shouldn't be affected providing that you still meet the criteria.

I switched from a full-time university degree to the OU after two failed attempts to complete. I'm finding the OU much easier to cope with than studying full time as I can work around my ill health, hospital appointments etc... and don't have to travel much. Plus I've got longer to complete the degree and I was able to transfer the credits I'd earned during my FT study to the OU so don't have to do so much work to finish my degree.

HTH

CheekyMonkey22

MrsManda - Thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed post. Links are especially useful.

I'm on Cont based ESA in the Support Group which is not affected by the 365 day rule of Cont based ESA as far as I can tell.

I have looked at OU, but the courses were not quite what I was looking for. Also, awful way to explain it, but I sort of what to go to a 'proper' university, (not that I have anything against OU at all).
It's just I spend 80-90% of my time by myself and want the interaction with other people. Also going to the 'local' university might expand my social circle to more than my 2 cats :rotfl:and I might be able to get involved in the clubs and societies. (:beer:)

The course I'm looking at is modular based and aimed at practicing health professionals so block of 8 days at a time. I've asked the course director for last years timetable so I can confirm my suspicious about its suitability for me.

Good news today, my surgeons secretary as confirmed my surgery date (after a year of tail chasing) and I should be out of the main recovery phase to start Sept (if I get accepted).