Uni, DSA & IB help needed

freebie_junkie

Crispy_Ambulance wrote: »

The rules are not that you cannot claim IB whilst studying - but some claim centres make it harder than others. Full time study is not the equivalent of full time work and there is no reason that full time students cannot claim IB as long as they meet all the criteria.

in my case i preferred to become a 'normal' student, with goign into my 3rd year i knew that after thsi year i would need to find employment so wanted to start working over summer and now i work for myself, its very liberating knowuing taht i can earn as much as i liek and my oh can move in with me (very close now- 9th april!) and no one is breathign down my neck, checking how much money i have or dont have and i dont think i would have gotten onto teh PGCE for next year if i had still been in reciept of IB either becuase they put a huge empahasis on the 'emotional and physical' strains of doing a PGCE. i think taht forcing myself into doing this has just been teh next stage of my self-taught CBT (self becuase the waiting lists are too long and teh so-called professionals round here are rubbish!) and thsi year so far ive even managed to bring home library books and use teh uni computers so im very chuffed with that!

i totally agree that full-time uni is nowt liek full-time work, im onyl in 2 days a week and even with eth time spend on my diss and assignments it onyl really ammounts to 3 1/2 - 4 full days a week and most of it i can do from home!

freebie_junkie

Crispy_Ambulance wrote: »

You don't have to be receiving the care, you just have to need it. Best thing would be for him to talk to a local CAB or the union advice centre as they can help him put in a claim.

beware that its a long, ardous process and the average appeal is about 3 wethger your claim is valid or not. i tried to claim when i was very ill and was being looked after by my oh, they kept me re-appealing so long that by teh time anyone actually took me seriously i was a lot better coz 2 years had passed.

Crispy_Ambulance

freebie_junkie wrote: »

beware that its a long, ardous process and the average appeal is about 3 wethger your claim is valid or not. i tried to claim when i was very ill and was being looked after by my oh, they kept me re-appealing so long that by teh time anyone actually took me seriously i was a lot better coz 2 years had passed.

A claim should not take that long or have that many problems which is why I suggest going to an advice centre to get help with the claim. You need to know exactly how to word the answers on the form to present your case in the best way possible.

I'm sorry you had problems with your claim, but others should not be put off making a claim for DLA - it doesn't have to be that difficult.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

i get what you are saying freebie. It is better if you can free yourself from goverment grasp and stigma. Mental health unfortunatly is still looked down upon, even tho' many intellectuals suffer metal health problems.

I think my mate should check out their situation with CAB or uni student advice first before coming to a decision. After all, he dosen't want to put himself under too much pressure with uni work without having some support in place just incase, but there again, it would be nicew if he could start with a clean slate.

freebie_junkie

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

i get what you are saying freebie. It is better if you can free yourself from goverment grasp and stigma. Mental health unfortunatly is still looked down upon, even tho' many intellectuals suffer metal health problems.

I think my mate should check out their situation with CAB or uni student advice first before coming to a decision. After all, he dosen't want to put himself under too much pressure with uni work without having some support in place just incase, but there again, it would be nicew if he could start with a clean slate.

the DSA provides that sort of support, its non-means tested and in addition to the monetary aspects, you are also covered in case of absences and your tutors know whats wrong with you.

freebie_junkie

Crispy_Ambulance wrote: »

A claim should not take that long or have that many problems which is why I suggest going to an advice centre to get help with the claim. You need to know exactly how to word the answers on the form to present your case in the best way possible.

I'm sorry you had problems with your claim, but others should not be put off making a claim for DLA - it doesn't have to be that difficult.

im not trying to put people off, just warn them how difficult they make it.

i am teh trustee of a charity for young people with menatl health and similar difficulties and i have seen it time and time again.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I doubt he'll bother with DLA. He's suffered with mental health problems for over 10 yrs, and has only ever claimed IB since leaving work.

I think he just wants to stay as he is in case he can't handle the pressure of a degree. I guess it's natural to be cautious.

I just want him to make the right choices, that's why I'm asking for advice ect on this forum, because there are people on here from all walks of life with different experiences.

He received an email today from student services in reply to his email. They are asking him to contact them with his questions. Should he bother telling them about his mental health issues or not? I'm now concerned he'll ruin his chances at uni and the future.

freebie_junkie

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

I doubt he'll bother with DLA. He's suffered with mental health problems for over 10 yrs, and has only ever claimed IB since leaving work.

I think he just wants to stay as he is in case he can't handle the pressure of a degree. I guess it's natural to be cautious.

I just want him to make the right choices, that's why I'm asking for advice ect on this forum, because there are people on here from all walks of life with different experiences.

He received an email today from student services in reply to his email. They are asking him to contact them with his questions. Should he bother telling them about his mental health issues or not? I'm now concerned he'll ruin his chances at uni and the future.

they cant turn him down becuase of a mental illness, its against teh law. ive done alright, my degree will be finished in june and ive also got accepted onto the PGCE for september, and im always very open about my OCD/dyslexia/dyspraxia.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Thanks freebie. Much appreciated

parmaviolette

Sorry, I meant to type DSA, not DLA (always get them mixed up) - but I did apply for both and I know about entitlements with both anyway.

The 16 hours are not contact time but study time so any full time course will be more than this.

from oldernotwiser

In principle I agree, this should be the way they work it out. But for some reason they only consider actual contact time. I've looked into this a few times, in different locations and different benefits entitlements, and I've only ever seen contact time considered. I think it's because they can't prove how much time you spend studying independently - some people spend about 40 hours a week studying, other spend only about 12 (obviously they get lower marks). In terms of contact hours, humanities courses don't have a lot of contact time at most unis. I think medical degrees and sciences are a lot more intensive.

I started claiming IB after I started uni, but there was no big problem about me attending uni at all. There's a section on the applications about current education, so it really can't be a problem.

Council tax - all students are exempt from council tax. Housing Benefit - with student loan and IB, I'm not eligible (but I do live with a working and studying partner) - also it depends on housing costs, and in Hull these are tiny. I think if I lived somewhere expensive like London I would be eligible.

DLA - I've always been encouraged to apply for this, and I was very nearly awarded it, I can't see any reason not to apply for it (apart from wanting to feel independent), it doesn't change anything if you get it or not - it's not counted as income on any form anywhere, but getting it can help entitlement to other support (including carers allowance for a supportive friend).

As for DSA, I would very strongly suggest applying for this - this is designed to cover any cost that can help your friend be less disadvantaged at uni, such as having a mentor to help manage workloads and study skills, getting taxis if public transport is a barrier... but more importantly, when being assessed for DSA, a report is written which can be given to the course department suggesting things like being given extensions when needed, extra exam time or a seperate room (my tutors were advised not to ask me on the spot questions or challenge me if I suddenly got up and left, this really helped me feel more relaxed).

hope all this helps! If you want to discuss any of this, feel free to ask more questions