Thanks very much John, I'd certainly qualify re the disability rules,
it's the income that's the potencial problem.
I wander if I'd have a problem, because I own another house in
Chippenham. Part of my problem is that I've got to pay my mortgage
whilst I'm studdying.
Rob
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of John Gregory
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2003 11:30 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: reasonable adjustments under DDA/Senda
Rob,
As a blind person myself, I sympathise with your predicament. As an
under
Graduate I investigated the possibility of claiming housing benefit.
I
cannot remember whether I actually did get it in the end, but I do
know it
was available. I contacted a colleague here in my LA and she replied
with
the folowing:
"Disabled students are indeed eligible to claim housing benefit and
council
tax benefit. But the important word here is claim. Housing benefit and
council tax benefit are means tested benefits so, as I am sure you are
aware, we have to look at the income and capital of the claimant and
their
partner when assessing their entitlement. It is not possible to tell
you
how much income and capital a person can have to qualify because it
depends
on their circumstances and how much rent or council tax they pay.
Student
grants and student loans (whether or not they get a loan) are taken
into
account. Students who are not pensioners, or disabled or lone parents
are
not eligible to claim benefit. To be classed as disabled they have to
qualify for the disability premium. This is a premium that is used in
the
assessment of their claim. To qualify for this premium they must be
registered blind or be in receipt of one of the following benefits:
Attendance allowance or disability living allowance; Tax credit -
disablement addition; Mobility allowance; Long term incapacity benefit
(i.e.
that is that they have been receiving it for more than 12 months);
Severe
Disablement Allowance"
Hope this helps.
Regards, John.
John Gregory
Access Officer
Environmental Services Department
Ext. 1630
DDI. 01295 221630
-----Original Message-----
From: Rob Powell [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 08 September 2003 22:40
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: reasonable adjustments under
DDA/Senda
Is the hardship fund normally available to post-grad
students?
Rob
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their
support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of BRYAN
JONES
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2003 9:05 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: reasonable adjustments under DDA/Senda
I would suggest that you speak to the disability
officer or
the head
of student services. The institution could
legitimately
fund the
extra cost of your accommodation by making an award to
you
through their Hardship fund. £2000 or so is what you
/ the
accommodation service require, which is well within
the
limits of
what individual students can be awarded through this
fund.
On 6 Sep 03, at 6:10, Rob Powell wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> A question for you guys, with which I could do with
some
> advice/guidance.
>
> I'm a totally blind student starting at Bristol Uni
in
September.
(oh
> it's September now)!. I've got a flat, owned by the
university that
> has a garden, and is bigger than normal student
accommodation,
because
> I have a guide dog.
>
> The problem is, to put it bluntly, that I can't
afford the
rent, but
I
> need the flat. The rent is £105 per week, plus
bills.
The cost of
a
> normal room in university accommodation would be
about £45
including
> bills.
>
> I'm not in a position to fund the extra costs of
this lat
from my
DSA,
> because I could only fund it from the general
allowance,
which I've
> used for other things. The equipment allowance is
also
over-spent,
> and the non-medical allowance is near it's maximum.
>
> My point to the university is that a reasonable
adjustment
to enable
> me to study is that they give me the flat for the
same
price as a
> normal room on campus, I.E. that they subsidise the
flat
by £60 per
> week. I'm prepared to foot the bill for the bills,
as a
compromise.
>
> Does anyone know of any case law that would support
this
argument,
any
> other universities that have made this sort of
adjustment
for
disabled
> students, or any specific part of the SENDA/DDA
codes of
practice
that
> I could quote on this one?
>
> It's fair to say I think, that the university are
generally
> sympathetic to the problem, but they need a hook to
hang
the thing
on.
>
> Thanks for any help, because I have to take a 50
week let,
the
amount
> involved is about £3000 per annum, so it's
significant.
>
> Rob
> ---
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