Uni, DSA & IB help needed

Crispy_Ambulance

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.

He should definitely look into claiming DLA. It isn't always easy to claim on mental health grounds, but I have had a lot of success with claims. But he does need an adviser that knows the regs and the benefits system very well.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

not sure if the local CAB offers a benefit advice service. Last time I paid the CAB a visit, the adviser was useless. I know they are volunteers, but this lady was no help what so ever.

Crispy_Ambulance

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

not sure if the local CAB offers a benefit advice service. Last time I paid the CAB a visit, the adviser was useless. I know they are volunteers, but this lady was no help what so ever.

the students' union will have a an advice service with benefits advisers. But most CABs do as well - and lots of them are paid workers.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

wow the online application form is a nitemare. Nowhere does it mention about what grant to apply for ect.. he has filled in his income details however.

What would happen if he got taken off benefits once he started uni??

Woodyrocks

I started my f/t MA in October 2006 and I am speaking from experience being classed as having a disability myself (BPD).

Just because he is studying does not mean he is fit for work. the benefits agency are aware that with disability, especially mental health, conditions change on a daily basis, the pressure associated with working can exacerbate a persons condition whereas studying can help improve the persons health, outlook and prospects for gaining future employment. He should have a named keyworker/therapist if he is known to the community mental health team so get him to seek their assistance as well. The Uni will most definitely have a name disability officer and they will be more than willing to meet with him before he starts the course. he should make himself familiar with the DSO as he/she will be able to support him for the duration of the course and make tutors aware of factors they may be ignorant to, incase he has a off day or even an episode and needs time off.

p.s you do not need a carer to claim DLA. Once again, he should liaise with his keyworker (my Keyworker is the best and is so supportive its unreal) and the Uni's DSO.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

He no longer has a community key worker, he is in regular contact with his psychiatrist tho'. I wonder if the psychiatrist would assist? He has written to the psychiatrist for confirmation of his mental health disability, so, hopefully they will reply a.s.a.p.

It's so difficult with mental health, because although your condition can change from day to day, it's hard to feel disabled and so tell people about your disability because it isn't phsyical (so to speak).

I'm sure he'll kick himself when he realizes about DLA, but I guess he wouldn't have known as noone has made him aware of it, and he's been "ill" for 10 yrs now.

As you said tho', education is so different from the pressures and commitmnet of work. I just hope he succeeds, he deserves it.

He is emailing the uni finance dept, and I'll tell him to contact the uni disability officer too.

Thanks

Woodyrocks

I sometimes feel that people are more inclined to be sympathetic if you have a physical disability than a mental one. And for one that suffers from one, it can be such an effort to get people to understand that you would rather keep it to yourself. But there is only so long you can do this for, you can be okay for a long time and then suddently it all goes peared.

p.s DLA can be backdated. Mine was! Please encourage him to keep his mental health team informed of his affairs as they will be in a stronger position to assist and they will if they can, especially as he is being so pro-active at regaining some sort of order in his life. It is to be applauded as the fear to start taking control of a broken brain can be incapacitating. Good luck to him and he is lucky to have such a good friend in you

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Yeah, he has been able to keep his condition fairly quiet. Been some time since he had a cpn assisting him, don't know whether that's a good or bad thing, but he just sees a psychiatrist now on a regular basis. Apart from if he becomes very ill, then the intensive team step in to assist.

Do you think his pyschiatrist will help with claims ect?? I know he just asks my friend how he is doing ect.. but he does know the uni intentions, and is happy about it.

Crispy_Ambulance

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

Yeah, he has been able to keep his condition fairly quiet. Been some time since he had a cpn assisting him, don't know whether that's a good or bad thing, but he just sees a psychiatrist now on a regular basis. Apart from if he becomes very ill, then the intensive team step in to assist.

Do you think his pyschiatrist will help with claims ect?? I know he just asks my friend how he is doing ect.. but he does know the uni intentions, and is happy about it.

His psychiatrist would be asked to provide supporting evidence but the best person to help with a benefits claim and student support application is someone who does that for a living, eg. Student Advice Centre, or CAB

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Been in touch with the Uni advice via email, and the chap who replied admitted he didn't really know anything about benefits, so couldn't help.

It maybe my freind will have to take a chance and just apply come what may. Our area of the world ain't to keen on people improving themselves it seems, so you get used to going it alone.