A student with insulin-dependant diabetes is experiencing financial constraints
that may force him to withdraw from his course.
The student, R, left his previous employment to start full time study in higher
education. He is married with two dependant children, one of whom is severely
disabled and received the highest rate of DLA. RÕs wife is unable to work, as
she is a full-time carer. She receives Carers Allowance, and is applying for
Income Support.
They have been informed that RÕs grant, student loan and any awards from the
Access Fund count as income, for assessment of his wifeÕs Income Support.
They are appealing, but by the time a decision is reached R may have had to
withdraw from higher education.
RÕs maintenance grant is insufficient to pay his accommodation in halls of
residence, and the student loan will have to be repaid in due course. He is
unlikely to be able to work to supplement his income while studying, as he has
been experiencing frequent ŌhyposĶ recently, which are made worse by tiredness
and stress.
He is applying for DSA for extra expenditure on food and footwear and to buy a
small refrigerator for storing insulin at College. Would he also have to
declare this as income?
Can anyone suggest a way forward? The fact that Student Loans are counted as
income for means-tested benefits generated some lively discussion at the Skill
seminar last week!
Clare Davies
Student Services
Nene College of Higher Education
Northampton NN2 7AL
01604 735500 ext 2390
[log in to unmask]
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|