If you are disabled, make sure you claim all your benefits

At the start of another academic year, it is a good time to make sure you are claiming all the benefits you may be entitled to. As well as benefits that all disabled people might receive, there are some additional benefits available to students.

What benefits are available specifically for students?

The disabled students allowance is a grant that is tax-free, non-repayable and not means-tested, so it make sense to claim this if you think you are eligible. In order to claim you must:

• Be disabled, or
• Have a long-term health condition, or
• Have a mental health condition, or
• Have a specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia.

The amount of the award is based on your individual requirements but can provide funds towards special equipment (such as, tape recorders or specialist software), specialist help (this includes a sign language interpreter or a reader) and a basic allowance to cover extra photocopying costs, for example.

There are other benefits and/or grants available depending on where you are studying and your personal circumstances. You can find more information on the Tax Guide for Students website, but for local information you should check with the welfare adviser attached to your college.

How to make a claim for disabled students allowance

You make your claim based on your country of residence as shown below:

England using GOV.UK 

Northern Ireland using the student finance ni website

Scotland using the Student Awards Agency for Scotland website

Wales using the Student Finance Wales website.

There are plans to cut disabled students allowance in the future, so make your claim without delay.

(22-09-2014)