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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

DSA application

26 replies

oxalisRed · 06/06/2021 10:44

Does anyone have experience of their kids applying for Disabled Student's Allowance as part of their student finance please?

My daughter is autistic but we have never applied for DLA (she was only diagnosed at 17 yrs old), would that affect her DSA application?

She has an appointment soon with a DSA advisor to see whether she qualifies, and is worried about it. Obviously it would be useful if she were eligible and could receive some funding (her university accommodation alone could eat up her maintenance loan).

The DSA is supposed to support her autism, but she is unsure how that can be shown. TIA.

OP posts:
LIZS · 06/06/2021 14:12

She will have a Needs Assessment to help identify what support she needs. Can be practical such as software to record lectures(although most are online anyway) , support with organisation, managing workload and mentoring or communication with academic department/accommodations. Her department may give deadline extensions or marking concessions if her work is flagged. Can she think about how she handles issues now or what support might help her. If she has a diagnosis letter or assessment report that may help with the initial conversation.

LIZS · 06/06/2021 14:13

And it is not a financial award but funded help.

Ironoaks · 06/06/2021 16:55

DSA provision will not be affected by whether or not she receives DLA.

The needs assessment is just so they can identify how her ASD affects her studies, and suggest things which could enable her to access the course. The needs assessor then suggests a package of support, and student finance confirm if they will fund the cost.

She won't receive any funds directly, but if she needs things like specialist equipment, assistive technology etc, the cost of this should be covered by DSA.

To prepare, she could think about the specific ways in which her autism might make studying more difficult for her.

chesirecat99 · 06/06/2021 17:33

She needs to provide proof of her diagnosis to apply for DSA. There is an assessment but it is not to assess whether she is eligible, it is to assess what help she might need that is eligible for DSA funding.

For example, if she has executive function issues, she might need support finding strategies for planning work/time management etc. DSA doesn't cover tutoring for the degree subject but it can pay for support sessions for study skills. It could pay for a personal invigilator if she needs to sit exams alone in a quiet room rather than an exam hall. The National Autistic Society used to have student support services, it might be worth talking to them for advice. I think it can also help pay for extra accommodation costs if she needs a more expensive room type because of her ASD eg with an ensuite if she couldn't cope with a shared bathroom. It's also worth talking to the university disability services to see what support they offer. The DSA can be used to pay for those services.

Original poster
oxalisRed · 06/06/2021 20:02

Thanks everyone.

She does have proof of her diagnosis, just wasn't sure what to expect from the assessment (autism exacerbates the uncertainty). Thanks for the help, I will pass it along to her.

OP posts:
chesirecat99 · 06/06/2021 20:08

There's lots of stuff about the assessment if you google. Here's some to start you off. I think my DC was sent a letter about what to expect at the assessment too.

www.abilitynet.org.uk/news-blogs/preparing-your-dsa-needs-assessment-advice-abilitynet-assessor
www.abilitynet.org.uk/news-blogs/what-happens-during-dsa-needs-assessment
www.contact-associates.co.uk/flex-page/
www.savethestudent.org/student-finance/disabled-students-allowances-dsa.html

ofteninaspin · 07/06/2021 17:06

DD has a DSA. She applied to her university DSA department (with her diagnosis) and a few days later had a telephone call from the University DSA assessor. They spent some time discussing various equipment options and agreed a list of kit which was subsequently delivered to DD at home (this was during the first lockdown). I would advise your DD to think about the services/aides/equipment she requires ahead of the assessment although DD found the assessor to be really helpful in suggesting items she hadn’t previously considered. Good luck to your DD.

Dabbo103 · 08/06/2021 05:29

Hi,
Just to add on to what everyone else has said.
I'm a mature student in receipt of DSA. I had the assessment where it lasted two hours, was asked questions on my diagnosis, how it affects me on a daily basis and how it would affect my studies.
For example, an individual with mental health concerns may find it difficult to concentrate sometimes (their mind is elsewhere), therefore, DSA can offer a microphone to record lessons (and a laptop if not already owned).
Likewise, an individual with physical health problems, may be tired or may find it difficult to get to university, if not living on campus. DSA can provide taxi journeys whereby the student just pays a small percentage (usually the public transport cost).
The assessment is very detailed and can offer massive help.
I myself, got a laptop with all kinds of software including a microphone to record lectures, mindview, claroread etc. I was provided with taxis for a £55 cost each way and just had a pay £2.50 per journey.
Additionally, I was given 1-1 support sessions each week and extra time, separate room for exams (that was organised by the uni). However, with the DSA assessment, it detailed all of my issues and how it affects my studies.
Hope this helps!

Dabbo103 · 08/06/2021 05:35

Forgot to add, as for the assessment, I found it more like an informal chat whereby the assessor took notes and told me what they can offer.
It wasn't how you'd expect an assessment to be and was very helpful.
Once you make it to the assessment, you will have already provided evidence of your condition, therefore, they have an idea of what will help prior to the meeting.
Honestly, it may not be of much assistance but for your daughter, there's nothing to worry about and it will make her studies far more comfortable.

Original poster
oxalisRed · 08/06/2021 12:36

Thank you all for taking the time to respond, it's been really helpful.

OP posts:
MyVisionsComeFromSoup · 08/06/2021 12:45

We found they were actively trying to offer things to help (unlike PIP where they look for ways to get out of awarding you anything) - DD took up most things, but decided she didn't need everything (plus some stuff was already offered by the uni/department.

One thing which was incredibly helpful, was automatic extensions for assignment submission, this was offered automatically by her department to anyone who was registered with the disabled students tema at uni, but other subjects needed a specific DSA request.

Original poster
oxalisRed · 17/08/2021 12:37

Just wanted to give an update. Daughter went through the DSA application process and it was just as you guys described, the assessor was really helpful and proactive, talking her through all the options (I guess they have a list to run through). She's got some hearing equipment and signed up for online mentoring/support - not sure she'll use that but at least she has the option and the university has flagged her and her needs.

You've been super supportive, thank you.

OP posts:
handmademitlove · 08/01/2022 14:57

In advance of my DD doing her application, we are making a list of things that may be useful to discuss at her DSA assessment. She is autistic and has issues with processing and dyslexic tendencies. At the moment we have things like laptop / printing / RNIB book vault access. Can anyone suggest other things to consider - I realise this is very individual but wanted to look at things we might not realise are possible!

LIZS · 08/01/2022 15:01

Recording software, microphone, bookstand, one to one support sessions, quiet/adapted accommodation request

handmademitlove · 08/01/2022 16:59

Re the accommodation request - I am trying to get my head round what you need to request via dsa and what is requested directly from the uni? She will definitely need quieter halls and she has other medical needs which will need additional equipment - does this all come under dsa or do you put it on the accommodation application?

ExtremelyDetermined · 08/01/2022 17:04

As well as applying for DSA (we will be doing it shortly for DS) definitely talk to the uni learning support department separately, there should be an email contact on the website, failing that ask for them through the general contact address. They will be able ti advise on things like quiet halls.

handmademitlove · 09/03/2022 07:58

We have now applied for dsa and they have come back and asked for more evidence of impact on her day to day life. They have provided a form for the GP but she hasn't seen the GP in years! I am wondering if her diagnosis report would be what they are looking for perhaps? We initially submitted her diagnosis letter (asd). Our other option is to go back to the diagnosis centre and ask them to fill it in. Any suggestions?

LIZS · 09/03/2022 17:17

Go back to the centre and ask them to do it with her.

BluerThanRobinsEggs · 09/03/2022 17:23

They have provided a form for the GP but she hasn't seen the GP in years!

What do you do if the GP refuses to respond to a request to fill in these forms?

LizDoingTheCanCan · 09/03/2022 17:38

DSA/ SFE are doing this with autism diagnoses now, you need a letter that explains how it has a significant impact on day to day activities. It needs to be from a healthcare professional, for example a GP or mental health practitioner. The diagnosis report may well give sufficient detail. If the GP will not help, and you have no input from other services (not unusual for later diagnosis), then you'd need to go private, which might end up costing more than the DSA is worth (in the cost of equipment etc).

They have only brought this requirement in over the last five years, I'd guess it to cut costs.

handmademitlove · 09/03/2022 19:55

I spoke to the dsa helpline today who were reasonably helpful. They said any recent evidence containing diagnosis and details of how it effects them would be fine. So going to send the assessment report and see how we get on.

handmademitlove · 06/07/2022 21:37

Just an update to say that we had her assessment today and they were really helpful, lots of things we hadn't considered.
I would add though that there were some things they weren't sure she would get approved because that specific difficulty was not mentioned in her medical evidence. So a learning point to us that when her sibling gets to this point, a thorough OT assessment is probably needed to ensure we have all the up to date evidence we need!

TerffLonDon · 06/07/2022 21:45

Just placemarking as there is some good info here as DD will need to do this….

handmademitlove · 21/08/2022 10:30

Dd got her place so we are now going through all the emails about dsa. Does anyone have any recommendations re laptops? Is the standard laptop usually OK or is it worth upgrading?

RedHelenB · 21/08/2022 10:32

My dd got dsa and she was only officially diagnosed at uni. She doesn't claim dla either.