Understanding Student Finance and Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Navigating student finance can be daunting, particularly for students with disabilities. A key question that often arises is how Disability Living Allowance (DLA) interacts with student funding. In the UK, DLA is a non-means-tested benefit designed to help with the extra costs of living with a disability. Understanding how it affects your student finance is crucial for effective budgeting and financial planning.

DLA and Student Finance: What You Need to Know

Importantly, DLA is generally disregarded as income when Student Finance England (SFE) or other UK student finance bodies assess your eligibility for student loans and grants. This means receiving DLA will not directly reduce the amount of student finance you are entitled to. However, the situation can be more complex, so it’s important to understand the nuances.

While DLA itself isn’t counted as income, other benefits you might receive *because* of your disability could potentially affect your assessment. For example, if you receive income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), the income-related component *is* means-tested and may impact your student finance entitlement. However, contribution-based ESA and Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which has replaced DLA for most adults, are not taken into account.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Student Finance

As DLA is gradually being replaced by PIP for those aged 16 and over, it’s important to note that PIP is also disregarded as income for student finance purposes. Therefore, whether you receive DLA or PIP, your entitlement to student loans and grants shouldn’t be directly reduced.

Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs)

It is vital to remember that you may also be eligible for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs). These are grants specifically designed to help students with disabilities cover the extra costs of studying. DSAs can help with things like specialist equipment, non-medical helpers (e.g., a note-taker), and travel expenses directly related to your disability. DSAs are not means-tested, meaning your household income won’t affect your entitlement. DSAs are provided on top of your standard student finance package and are designed to facilitate your access to education. Applying for DSAs is a separate process from applying for standard student finance, but it’s highly recommended for eligible students.

Important Considerations

• Declare your disability: When applying for student finance, ensure you declare your disability. This will ensure you are correctly assessed for eligibility for both standard funding and DSAs.
• Seek Advice: Contact your university’s disability services or student finance office for personalized advice. They can help you understand how your specific circumstances might affect your student finance.
• Benefits Advice: Speak to a benefits advisor or welfare organization to ensure you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to. They can provide clarity on how different benefits interact.

By understanding how DLA (or PIP) and other disability-related benefits interact with student finance, you can better plan your finances and ensure you receive the support you need to succeed in your studies.