Help-thinking of returning to uni but disabled

shopaholicsan

I will try and keep this brief but it is a bit complicated.
I have a degree already and was doing a post grad teaching qualification and working in a college until about 4 years ago when I started with severe health problems. I am now in receipt of Incapacity Benefit, Income Support and DLA (Higher Rate), I also have a 16 yr old who is about to go to college and therefore will still be financially dependent for a couple of years.

About 6 months ago I discovered Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine and not only has my health improved but I have become fascinated with the subject and now want to try and study to become an Acupuncturist.
Even though I can still be in severe pain for part of every day I am hoping to be accepted part time at a local Uni and manage the course.

I recently read a handbook that describes how people with severe illnesses, even cancer, have become much better and gone into remission when they are actively pursuing something they enjoy and are passionate about. This was the inspiration to go for it.

The problem is I don't know where to go to get advice about what benefits I will lose and whether I am entitled to any student support, particularly since I have a degree already. I don't want the DWP to think that because I feel able to start a course, that I am able to work as it is a totally different situation. I am unfortunately not able to use my existing qualifications to find work that is flexible enough to fit around my disability. I do hope, however, that eventually I will be in a position to work part time as a qualified Acupuncturist. I am also more confident managing pain in a medical environment where people will understand my problems.

Sorry to be so long winded - and thanks to anyone who read this far!!!

wolfehouse

give the uni a call and make an appointment with the disability advisor- every university should have one.

they are not connected with the dwp and if you tell them your concern about the effects on other benefits they should be able to clairfy this before you make any commitment.

sophieb_3

Hi shopaholicsan,

I currently work in a college that offers HE and FE, I used to work supporting learners with disabilities, learning difficulties and other additional needs. I've just moved into a new job in the careers service to support people with additional needs into work so I've just been learning about benefits and what affects them. unfortunately its quite a recent thing so please double check any information I give as I'm still learning.

From what I understand your DLA shouldn't be affected as this is a payment made on your disability, not what you do in your day.
With incapacity benefit I'm not sure the rules surrounding education but with voluntary work you can work up to 16 hours a week without it being affected as long as it isn't in contradiction with your IB i.e. receiving it for severe back pain and getting work that involves a lot of heavy lifting. Hopefully as your course would be part time the same rules would apply but I cant be sure.

my surefast advice would be to contact the university's services, they are there for potential students too! They will have a welfare and careers service who will be knowledgeable in this particular area, if when you speak to them to arrange an appointment you mention that it is about benefits and disability issues they will make sure they use the person who has the additional information you need.

the other people worth speaking too are the Job Centre, they will have Disability Employment Officers (you may already be in contact with one since you are on DLA) and while they are primarily there for employment issues they will have access to benefit information surrounding education.

remember too that while your benefits may change there might be other things you would then qualify for, you can make all these enquiries before you have to make any sort of commitment. there are even benefit calculators out there to compare how much money you have now to how much you would have after certain changes in circumstances (i think it tends to be people in the business that have access to these, such as the Job Centre).

Good luck with it and remember you wont be the first and definitely not the last to ask these questions. I hope it goes well

Oldernotwiser

It's usually very difficult, if not impossible, to get funding for a second undergraduate degree. This would apply to everyone, not just people with a disability. Have you looked at a Career Development Loan to fund the fees as this is likely to be the problem rather than your benefit situation?

Zziggi

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

It's usually very difficult, if not impossible, to get funding for a second undergraduate degree. This would apply to everyone, not just people with a disability.

I second this. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

If you went ahead anyway then you might be eligible for a DSA (disbaled student allowance) which is there to meet the EXTRA study costs you have due to your disability. However, even if you got the DSA, you would still need to sort the issue of actually funding the course itself. It's impossible to get funding for a second degree even if you argue that, because of your disbability, you need to retrain.