DSA impact on benefits

maddoglady

Hi again, continuing to "swallow my pride" and stand up for myself after realising I can't trust anyone except my dog....as stated in last post, please no " well my second cousin twice removed was turned down and they only have one leg and three fingers etc", I just want advice on my situation. I get HRC and HRM and have been reassessed so passed or failed depending on your pov and my problems ain't changing anytime soon...if I were to apply for Disabled Students Allowance, if I get a place on the postgrad pt course I applied for ( as believe it or not, I don't want to be state dependent forever and am trying to turn my f-d up life around), I know I sound defensive and peed off...I AM. ANYWAY... Would getting DSA mean losing my DLA, or ESA? Thank you for your understanding, I'm not mad at anyone on here, just mad at myself for the mess I'm in and desperately trying o convince myself it can change.

Indie_Kid

DSA isn't a cash benefit and is generally equipment. It doesn't affect any benefits you receive.

Savvy_Sue

Indie_Kid wrote: »

DSA isn't a cash benefit and is generally equipment.

Although it can be personal help: DS1 had a mentor paid for by DSA, and the OP might benefit from a person rather than bits of kit.

maddoglady

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Although it can be personal help: DS1 had a mentor paid for by DSA, and the OP might benefit from a person rather than bits of kit.

Thinking along the lines of a "travel assistant" as I will be needing to attend weekend teaching courses 4 hours plus from my home, so would need to stay overnight etc at my own cost.

Indie_Kid

maddoglady wrote: »

Thinking along the lines of a "travel assistant" as I will be needing to attend weekend teaching courses 4 hours plus from my home, so would need to stay overnight etc at my own cost.

I had a travel assistant. I was able to claim back their travel costs too.

GlasweJen

DSA doesn't affect your benefits.

I had a DSA equipment grant when I went to uni for my undergrad then when I went to Open Uni for my post grad I got DSA for my sister to travel from Glasgow to Milton Keynes with me to sit my exams.

maddoglady

Would it cover us staying overnight at a travelodge etc, as it's a weekend of teaching each time. I'm not expecting the Savoy, just a room with a loo and a shower!

Indie_Kid

But wouldn't you have that cost if you weren't a disabled student? It's extra costs as a result of being disabled and not the costs other students have.

GlasweJen

No it won't cover the hotel room as you'd pay for that anyway. When it was me and my sister travelling they paid her train ticket from Glasgow to MK (not mine as I would have had to travel anyway), the taxi from the hotel to campus and back as I can't use buses (wheelchair bound at the time), my sister was paid an amount to cover her expenses while away, £12 per hour to assist me during the exam (only for the duration of the exam, not the weekend).

I was only given this for exams I had to sit in person, a year later my exam was a presentation and I gave it using video conferencing software (paid for by the Uni) instead of going back to MK

maddoglady

Indie_Kid wrote: »

But wouldn't you have that cost if you weren't a disabled student? It's extra costs as a result of being disabled and not the costs other students have.

I wouldn't have my travel buddy's costs.