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Just to clarify, this student doesn't have a motability car. Her parents were in the process of trying to work out how they can enable her to attend uni by travelling with her on public transport (she needs to live at home to receive practical daily living support) until I (apparently foolishly) suggested the travel allowance shouldn't require such drastic adjustments to their work / life commitments and might also enable some independence on the part of the student. Ian On 04/07/2014 14:27, Natalya Dell wrote: > Hi, > > I have managed to get taxis covered for a student with a motability car > because he cannot drive very far at one time so still has a need for > transport support to university. > > There might be scope for a similar thing with this student if they are not > always mentally fit to drive or are anxious about driving in traffic (in > our uni area there is ALWAYS a lot of traffic). > > I spotted this request for DLA/PIP info in the 2014-15 DSA forms > immediately and was quite wary of what they were asking for and why. It > was a bit of a sneaky add-on as I hadn't even realised the new year's DSA > guidelines were out. > > Natalya > >> Yesterday I received a query from SFE about a taxi allowance being >> recommended (for a student with complex mental health and ASD) - >> >> "I am unable to accept the recommendation which has been made in >> relation to travel allowance for this student, as this student is brand >> new for the academic year 2014/15 we would need to know if they are in >> receipt of the high rate mobility allowance in order to review the >> travel recommendation. Please can I ask that further information is also >> received in respect of this recommendation and once received we can >> review the report again. " >> >> I must admit this new guidance passed me by completely! The guidance >> states:- >> >> ‘Students may be receiving funding for travel assistance from other >> Government agencies as well as help with travel costs through DSAs. It >> is the Department’s view that to duplicate this provision may in some >> circumstances constitute double funding. From AY 2014/15 SFE will ask >> DSA students to indicate on their DSA application form whether they are >> in receipt of any form of support towards travel costs from other >> government agencies or their local authority. This information would >> then be used by the needs assessor and SFE in order to assess what >> additional help towards travel costs the student needs. Receipt of >> another means of support does not preclude a student from receiving >> DSAs, however it informs the decision as to what additional help the >> student might require. >> >> (See paragraph 32 on calculating travel costs for the use of Motability >> cars.)’ >> >> Then - >> >> Paragraph 32 >> >> ‘Generally, where the student has opted to use a mobility element of >> their Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment >> (PIP) to lease a Motability car, they will be expected to use that car >> to attend their institution and travel costs will be calculated using >> the AA motoring costs of 29p per mile (as above). Suitable parking >> facilities should be arranged by the HEI.’ >> >> Best wishes >> Ian Francis >> >