Dear dis-forum folk,

We have had a meeting with DfEE and Department of Social Security officials
about some of the problems currently faced by disabled students in the
student support and welfare benefits systems (and the way they interact).
They have asked for some further information on three of the issues, mainly
to get an idea of how many students are affected.

1 Intercalation

The first issue relates to students having to take time out of study because
of illness or disability. They are classed as full-time students until they
completely finish or abandon or are dismissed from their course, including
during periods of intercalation, resitting exams etc. This means that until
they have been incapable of work for 28 weeks, or until they qualify for
Disability Living Allowance (if they ever do), they are not eligible for
Income Support as a full-time disabled student, and so are not eligible for
any welfare benefit income at all.

How many disabled students you have had who have had to intercalate and have
had no income in the last couple of years, or have you had none at all in
that situation?

2 Students who transfer from full to part - time study

The second issue relates to disabled students who are not eligible for
Income Support (eg they are capable of work) and who began full-time and
transferred to part-time study. These students will remain classed as
full-time students until they finish or abandon their course. But they would
be ineligible for Income Support, Jobseekers' Allowance or student loan, and
so would have no income.

How many of your disabled students have transferred from full to part-time
study and have had no income over the past couple of years, or have their
been none at all?

3 Housing Benefit for halls of residence

Finally, we have raised the issue that some disabled students have to live
in halls of residence because of their disability (eg the accommodation is
adapted). However, college owned accommodation is excluded from Housing
Benefit.

How many disabled students do you have on average in any one year who would
have to live in college accommodation because they are disabled?

I would be grateful for any information from list members as it will help to
present a clearer case for change. Please reply to [log in to unmask]

Thank you
Nick Hawkes
Information and Research Worker

Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
Chapter House, 18-20 Crucifix Lane, London SE1 3JW
Fax: 0171 450 0650
Website: www.skill.org.uk

Information Service open 1.30 - 4.30 pm Monday to Friday:
0800 328 5050 (voice) 0800 068 2422 (text)
E-mail: [log in to unmask]




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