Special Support Element

Hi,

I was hoping someone could advise?

I receive New Style ESA (contribution based) and I am in the support group.

I have been treated as incapable for work since 2021

To apply for the special support element in my first and second year I provided evidence for the current academic year.

For example

To get the special support element for 22/23 I provided evidence showing I was in receipt of ESA for 21/22 academic year

To get the special support element for 23/24 I sent evidence showing I was in receipt of ESA for the 22/23 academic year.

Given this, I thought student finance decisions were made on the previous financial/academic year.

This year I have done the same and provided evidence that I am in receipt of ESA for the 23/24 academic year to support my 24/25 application but this has not been accepted.

Please can you advise exactly what evidence I need to provide to support my application for the special support element given the disability benefits I currently receive?

Thanks :smile:

Reply 1

Calum SLC

Official Rep

Hi wenchboat92,

To apply for the Special Support Element we need to see that you will be receiving a disability benefit during the academic year

Thanks,
Calum

Reply 2

wenchboat92

Hi Calum, thanks for the reply. I have contact the DWP and they have advised they can only provide proof of entitlement for the current time, and can't provide proof that I will be receiving it in September until September.

Does this mean I should wait until September to submit this evidence and then this can be added to my student finance then?

Also would it matter if the benefit proof was dated say 1st of September 2024 but the course doesn't start again until the 16th? Or does the letter need to state the exact date?

Thanks

Reply 3

Calum SLC

Official Rep

Hi wenchboat92,

The evidence regarding disability benefits must show that you are entitled to the benefit at some point during the academic year so if you will not receive this evidence until September you will need to send it to us then

We just need to see evidence that you will be receiving it at some point during the academic year so a letter dated the 1st September would be fine

Thanks,
Calum

Reply 4

wenchboat92

I recently uploaded my ESA letter which states I will be in receipt of ESA until at least Nov 27 2024, an advisor at student finance has now advised me I need to provide evidence that I'll be receiving it for the whole academic year which I can't do because the how ESA is assessed. My only option would be to provide evidence that I'm still receiving it every two months which seems impractical.

I was also told I need to resubmit the evidence with a cover letter but I cannot find an option to download this in my account.

Thanks

Reply 5

Drew SLC

Official Rep

Hi there,

If you have submitted the evidence on the 27th of November it will not have been processed yet. When you log into your online account can you seen an estimated document review date?

Thanks, Drew

Reply 6

wenchboat92

I submitted my evidence on 14th of October, the evidence states I will receive ESA until at least 27th November 2024. It has been received and reviewed but no actions taken.

Reply 7

SFE Clare

Official Rep

Hi wenchboat92,

The evidence for the Special Support Element of the Maintenance Loan must show that you are in receipt of that benefit for the duration of the academic year. If your evidence expires part way through that year, you would need to provide a more updated statement to show that you will continue to receive this benefit.

Thanks, Clare

(edited 5 months ago)

Reply 8

wenchboat92

Thanks for your reply. Do you know where I can download the relevant cover letter to go with my evidence?

Reply 9

Graeme SFE

Official Rep

Original post by wenchboat92

Thanks for your reply. Do you know where I can download the relevant cover letter to go with my evidence?

We don't need an evidence cover letter, that's okay - feel free to upload your evidence as it is, and it will be picked up by the assessment team, rest assured.

Thanks, Graeme