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DSA for mental health issues

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Okay, thanks.

At the assessments, do they just ask mutiple questions or do they just ask you "what's wrong?" and then you have to go through everything?

I took a letter into my GP as I really struggle with talking and it explained everything in that. Would that be possible to do in the assessment?

Reply 61

The_Lonely_Goatherd

Original post by Catherine13

They ask multiple questions split into various sections to see how your mental health affects your studies :yes:

I'm sure you'd be able to take in notes :yes:

Reply 62

goodzi

hi guys, what is DSA General Allowance?

Reply 63

Acei

Original post by goodzi

hi guys, what is DSA General Allowance?

Book/Photocopy allowance, internet allowance, consumables allowance (for printer) etc etc... a lot of things can come under that allowance but it must be in some way related to the disability as an added cost which the student would incur.

Reply 64

diamonddust

Is it too early to call up my suppliers and order my equipment now for starting uni in September? I'm going to be away in August so I pretty much just have June. How long do they generally take to deliver? I'm using Barry Bennetst. I have a few weeks between results day and university and I'm worried that might not be enough time. Also, how do you clarify if you're allowed to upgrade your equipment? It didn't say on my letter but my assessor said I could and it mentioned sorting out insurance if you chose to upgrade in the letter? I'm worried about calling the suppliers/calling student finance.

Reply 65

ExTraP

The only problem with ordering the equipment now is if you decide not to take up your course, you'd have to pay for the equipment or sth. If taking into account this wouldn't happen, I guess it's OK to order now as they have approved your DSA anyway. If you are ordering the equipment from the DSA supplier then they usually take care of the insurance, if you are upgrading then my guess is they would still provide the insurance possibly with a little extra for the more expensive models. The only way to find out is to call them I am afraid.

I have decided to buy everything myself from online stores as I worked out it'd still be far cheaper this way with all including all the upgrade I want. All I wanted was to upgrade the Mac to a better spec as I do video editing, so I wanted the machine to be as fast as possible, the supplier wanted to charger me £300 + VAT, which was wayyyy more than the retail price, let along I have student discount with Apple, so I thought, sod them. With the money saved, I was in a position to also upgrade a couple of other things, still have money left in the end. It's a little complicated and you'd have to pay upfront and claim the money back, but if you do have savings for uni like me, they this might be a better option. And yes, you'd have to take care of insurance and also warranty yourself for whatever you purchase yourself and SFE says they won't replace anything you buy not via their suppliers.

So in short, yes you can upgrade, and if you go with the supplier then they will let you know the extra cost and should take care of everything as if you didn't want any upgrade. I think the sorting out insurance bit in the entitlement letter only applies to those DSA suppliers that do not offer any insurance to the equipment they sell.

Reply 66

homebythefence

Original post by diamonddust

Unless you have an unconditional offer, they won't give you your equipment now. I used Barry Bennet too, they're very helpful and quick. Don't worry about getting it sorted between Results Day and your Fresher's Week. When you have received your place on RD, ring them the day after, or during the week and they'll arrange for someone to deliver your stuff to you within the next two weeks. I actually got mine about 3 days after I got my place.

As for upgrading, it works like this:

In your assessment documentation from your Needs Assessment, quotes for equipment will be included. Whatever one Student Finance has agreed to fund (in this case, the quote from Barry Bennet), this is your money.

In my assessment, I was given 700 and something pounds for a laptop from Barry Bennet with plugs and a USB hub and crap I didn't want. So what I did was I bought a Macbook Pro, sent the receipt to Student Finance and claimed back the 700 and something pounds for the laptop quote.

They'll quote you for other stuff like say, a printer. If you choose to buy a different printer, then you just buy it and claim it off what Student Finance would have paid.

Goes like this:

See if what you want to buy/upgrade is included on your Needs Assessment quote from Barry Bennet.
If you want something different, ring Barry Bennet and tell them what you want to be removed from your delivery from them.
Purchase what you want instead.
Send the receipt to Student Finance, saying you want the cost of it refunded from your Needs Assessment allocation.
They go: Ok, they bought a printer for £25, the printer we recommended was £25, so we'll give them back their £25.
You get the money back :smile:

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 67

diamonddust

Original post by homebythefence

Unless you have an unconditional offer, they won't give you your equiptment now. I used Barry Bennet too, they're very helpful and quick. Don't worry about getting it sorted between Results Day and your Fresher's Week. When you have received your place on RD, ring them the day after, or during the week and they'll arrange for someone to deliver your stuff to you within the next two weeks. I actually got mine about 3 days after I got my place.

Thank you! Great, no need to worry about it then! :biggrin:

Reply 68

Acei

Original post by homebythefence

As for upgrading, it works like this:

In your assessment documentation from your Needs Assessment, quotes for equipment will be included. Whatever one Student Finance has agreed to fund (in this case, the quote from Barry Bennet), this is your money.

In my assessment, I was given 700 and something pounds for a laptop from Barry Bennet with plugs and a USB hub and crap I didn't want. So what I did was I bought a Macbook Pro, sent the receipt to Student Finance and claimed back the 700 and something pounds for the laptop quote.

They'll quote you for other stuff like say, a printer. If you choose to buy a different printer, then you just buy it and claim it off what Student Finance would have paid.

Is this the way it works through upgrading only? E.g. if I do accept some of the quotes at their default e.g. the voice recorder will this be paid for directly and I won't have to pay, then claim-back?

The only reason I ask is because I'd like to upgrade the laptop spec, but I cannot afford to pay then reclaim for everything, I'd only be able to afford to pay then reclaim for the laptop.

Also when it comes to upgrading will they force me to pay for the 4 years insurance or can the quote for insurance also be used as a method for upping the spec? I understand that If i was to waiver the insurance I'd be held responsible if the laptop was to break during the 4 years and of course couldn't make any claim against it, which is understandable.

Thanks in advance for your help :smile:

Reply 69

homebythefence

Original post by Acei

If you accept items on the quote, no money will change through your hands. Student Finance will pay the supplier directly.

However, if you choose to upgrade something, you are responsible for paying for it directly and then asking Student Finance to refund you. You can't claim the money in advance.

EDIT: Sorry, I misunderstood! Student Finance will pay the supplier directly for everything but the laptop. The supplier will then send it to you. You then go out and buy the laptop outright and claim it back with a receipt from Student Finance. :smile:

I'm not 100% sure but I think when I asked to upgrade my laptop, they said I had to get insurance for it. I got it through Endsleigh with student possessions insurance.

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 70

LipstickKisses

Original post by paper-wings

Hi all,

I know there is lots of information out there but I am still a bit confused so bear with me.

Firstly, I have just applied for student finance and I am hoping to apply for DSA too. I see some people are already having assessments, so am I too late?

I am going to apply for mental health issues. I do not have a clear diagnosis (want to wait longer before making a final diagnosis) but there have been talks of cyclothymia / bipolar II rapid cycling , and a private psychiatrist said he strongly suspected bipolar II RC.

My main issue is mood instability. It really affects my concentration - when I am low, my depressive thoughts mean its difficult for me to concentrate and when I am manic, my highs mean I jump from idea to idea and its very difficult to concentrate as well. I also have difficulty with time management when I am in a bad episode, and general functioning, which makes it hard to make decisions and complete work on time.

I feel like a bit of a fraud applying, as I did get good A levels while at the beginning of being ill, but I am really scared that this will affect me at uni.

I am basically looking for advice for what to write in the box where it asks you to describe your condition. Also, should I get a letter from my GP or a psychiatrist (does it matter who it is from?)

Thanks.

Ah OP I sympathise greatly! I have OCD diagnosed but I also suffer from mood instability which causes obvious problems when at either end of the spectrum. I was diagnosed as bipolar by one psychiatrist, but then another one disagreed and now they're not sure...cheers guys, you really cleared things up for me! :rolleyes:

So yeah I don't have a firm diagnosis either which makes applying for these things difficult.

Don't feel like a fraud. Just because you did well doesn't mean you aren't entitled to support, it can make things a lot easier for you. I didn't even know I could get DSA until one teacher mentioned it to me.

Get a letter from your psych, I asked my GP for one and he said try to get it from a mental health practitioner as it holds more weight coming from a specialist. As for what to write in the box, I'd just write down your symptoms. The advantage of not having a diagnosis does mean you don't have to declare it to employers when you apply for jobs, which is good. :h:

Good luck OP, I'm not an expert on this but if you want help with it or anything, feel free to drop me a message! :smile:

EDIT: After reading some of the replies on here, I'd just like to make it clear that we aren't abusing the system and these things actually help us. When you have a mental health problem, little 'normal' things can be a lot more difficult to you, and for me this is in periods of stress, so moving to university and exams may well be triggers for a lot of people. DSA will just help us when we really need it, we're not just 'getting free stuff' at all, it does benefit us. :smile:

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 71

goodzi

I suffer from severe depression and have been on medication for almost 10 years. I'm going to look for a bedsit/single room flat which are expensive in London. The admissions officer told me I should apply for DSA but I don't understand how that can help students with depression and anxiety. I need some extra help to pay my rent as I can't live in a share house. Does it worth to apply for DSA? Thanks

Reply 72

Acei

Original post by goodzi

Since the anxiety is based around people it means you're less likely or even unable to use the Universities facilities such as computer hubs and libraries so the DSA would likely prefer to set-up a type of 'home office' scenario so that you're able to study without being hindered at your accommodation. This could include laptop/desktop computer, printer, book allowance, consumables (for the printer) allowance and internet allowance. I'm not sure if the DSA covers extra rent costs by being forced to live on your own, I suppose it could be covered in the general allowance but you would likely need to ask about this at the assessment.

Reply 73

ExTraP

Original post by goodzi

Have you tried getting DLA (Disability Living Allowance)? This is not study related and can be claimed over and on top of DSA. If you get this, I think you would also be entitled to housing benefit due to your disability and this might help with your rent. There is a accommodation allowance from the DSA, but I am not sure how much there can be.

As for the types of help fro DSA, I have been granted the software that I need for my studies not just assistive software, so I can work from home when things get too much and I cant go out.

Hope it helps.

Reply 74

Ryan Curtis

Although this is an old thread I felt I should add something. I also suffer with Bipolar II RC although it was only diagnosed as a result of treatment for combat-related PTSD, which if they occur in conjunction can significantly impact on my ability to cope with simple tasks never mind a university workload. Added to this are numerous physical ailments as a result of having been shot down, blown up and broken more bones than most people can name (med students notwithstanding).

Anyway, my Uni (Gloucestershire) had a REALLY good Mental Health team, I had a meeting with them where I had to go into uncomfortable detail BUT as a result I was given an automatic extension on all assignments (which I never used) and special arrangements were made for lectures and seminars etc (i have to sit at the back of the room near the door CANNOT under any circumstances have people sat behind me). Where this was not possible (because the door was at the front) I simply didn't attend those lectures and just had to work extra hard. Ditto exams, they reserved me a chair at the back near the door .. and all was well.

Get the equivalent team at your Uni on your side and it makes things MUCH simpler, they tell lecturers what they need to know - so that if you do suddenly bolt for the door they know it is not a reflection on their lecturing expertise :smile:

Luckily, as a mature student, I found it much easier to talk to the tutors .. they knew what the issue was even if not the details - and they gave me a lot of support.

Reply 75

ExTraP

^ couldn't agree more. It took me a good month or so to finally send out that email to the disability advisor at my uni when i first started having problem, it was probably on of the best emails I have ever sent. They have seen it all, they have heard it all and it is their job to be on your side. Without the support, I doubt I would have been able to finish my degree at all. How many times have they talked me out of dropping out and look at where I am now, onto doing my masters!! First thing I looked, first thing I asked was how good their study support is from the unis I am interested in. Really, get the support sooner than later, even if you think you don't need any, you'd be surprised how much help is there that you might not even know, and after all, what's the worst that could happen? They say no and you forget about it, and move on.

Reply 76

insignificant

Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd

They ask multiple questions split into various sections to see how your mental health affects your studies :yes:

I'm sure you'd be able to take in notes :yes:

I've just seen that your online and have noticed you have been assessed... do they allow you to take people with you to the appointment? Not to sit in the room with you but in some sort of waiting area? Just my dad has epilepsy and I don like to leave him incase he has a fit but my appointment is at 10am today so I dont have enough time to ring in the morning..

Reply 77

The_Lonely_Goatherd

Original post by insignificant

I actually took someone into the room with me, so I'm sure you'd be able to take your dad and have him wait outside. You can drop them an email that they'd get in the morning if you're worried :smile:

Reply 78

insignificant