Disability Student Allowance

maddoglady

If this is more appropriate on the Disability forum, please move. I'm starting my MSc in July 2015, and receive higher rate DLA (mobility and care). I don't want this to descend into a discussion about my needs etc, just simply asking if anyone here has applied for DSA and how soon before you started your course did you apply, to ensure its all set up beforehand. And how involved/stressful was it.

Thank you

Indie_Kid

If you start in September, you can apply from February / March when student finance applications open.

I didn't find it stressful at all.

maddoglady

Do I go through my university's finance support or is it centralised? I actually start in July. Do you have to have a medical etc like with DLA

DomRavioli

You need to ask your Uni as to whether you apply to them or not - most universities have a disabled students department.

You will usually have someone come to assess your needs - it isn't a medical as such, it is to see how you cope in your current accommodation, as well as assessing what you have difficulty with and what can be provided to counteract that.

If you've had an assessment as part of an undergraduate degree, they may refer to this also.

Best thing to do is to call the uni and get their process in writing. If you need to go to SF, then you have plenty of time to do it (in my experience it can take a few months to get your assessment done and any adaptations put through).

Indie_Kid

You apply through student finance and not the uni.

SlimmingSusan

I am in 2nd year undergrad, and you have to apply when you apply for student finance, and you need evidence, takes a while, but good luck, especially with your MSc, and well done getting so far, not to be underestimated x

maddoglady

I'm not applying for student finance,got enough debt from undergrad, not going into it but fees are covered but it's the "hidden extras" I need that are freaking me out and worried I won't be able to go through with it
.