Slough Borough Council

Special Educational Needs (SEN) - disabled students allowance

These allowances are intended to assist students with disabilities to benefit as fully as possible from their course. They are designed to cover special equipment, non-medical helpers and other general expenses.

Assistance with travel costs can be given under certain circumstances. Some important notes on how to claim the disabled students' allowance are included at the end of this section.

Remember, these allowances are not means-tested.

Special Equipment Allowance

This allowance covers major items of equipment, the need for which arises from a disability, and which are necessary to enable a student to benefit fully from the course. It is payable at any time during the course, by one or more instalments, provided that the aggregated total of the payments does not exceed the maximum prescribed limit of £4680 for the course. If it is more economical, items of equipment should be leased rather than purchased, especially if the claim is made during the latter stages of the course. Disabled students may find AbilityNet of use and interest. It provides impartial, expert advice about computer technology for people with disabilities.

Non-Medical Personal Helper's Allowance

This allowance reimburses students up to a maximum of £11840 per annum for expenditure on personal helpers such as readers, lip speakers, note takers, non-medical carers, necessary for the student to benefit fully from the course. The authority must be satisfied that the expenses are in respect the student's disability, and arise as a direct consequence of attendance on the course. The provision of these allowances does not remove the duty of local social services to provide assistance towards personal care costs which would have been incurred irrespective of a student's attendance on a course.

General Disability Allowance

This allowance has a maximum of £1565 per annum and provides for supplementary payments for disability related expenditure incurred because of attendance on the course. The allowance may be used for miscellaneous expenditure not covered by the specific allowances and to supplement expenditure on non-medical helpers and/or special equipment in excess of the maxima of the specific allowances.

Travel for Disabled Students

Reimbursement of travel expenses may also be claimed if, by reason of your disability, you incur additional expenditure. You will be asked to show how your disability incurs additional cost, and to provide medical evidence if necessary.

Notes on Claiming a Disabled Students' Allowance:

• Although they form part of student support in higher education, these allowances are not means-tested.
• Items purchased under this provision become your own property. If you withdraw from your course prematurely, however, you may be asked to repay part of the cost.
• Payment can be considered only for costs arising from attendance and from the disability - not for expenditure which would have been incurred irrespective of whether you were a student.
• We strongly recommend that suitable insurance is obtained. In the case of theft or damage (however caused) we will not contribute towards the cost of repairs or replacement. Reasonable insurance cover may be reimbursed under the special equipment allowance. For a small cost, it may be possible to add this equipment to your own or your parent's all risks/extra cover home insurance policy.
• You should discuss your needs with your course tutor/ head of department or college disability officer who must write in support of your claim. The letter must confirm the nature and extent of your disability and the cost (excluding VAT) together with the make, model and exact specification of the necessary equipment, if appropriate. If your college is unable to provide this information, they may refer you to an independent Access Centre for an assessment of your disability related needs. The cost of this assessment will be met from the disabled students' allowance.
• These allowances are intended to assist individual students and not to defray the running and pastoral costs of colleges. This should be explained to your college when your requirements are discussed.
• We will also require an assessment of the disability by a suitably qualified person or body, such as an educational psychologist in the case of dyslexia. The cost of this medical assessment cannot be met from the disabled students' allowance. This is not the assessment referred to above which is related to your needs. The medical assessment will refer to the nature of your disability.
• It is likely that our own suppliers will be able to obtain any equipment on your behalf. If this is the case, an order will be placed and the equipment delivered to you.
• For security reasons, we will not deliver to a private address other than your usual permanent address. If this is not suitable, you should arrange with your college where the delivery can be made. A university/college department or faculty, or warden of a hall of residence would be appropriate.
• When making an application for a disabled students' allowance, please state to whom and where the equipment should be delivered including a daytime contact telephone number and ensure that they will take responsibility for the equipment upon receipt. We will take no responsibility for loss after delivery.

More information

To find out more about allowances or to apply contact the student support via email StudentSupport@slough.gov.uk or call 01753 875721 (lines are open between 2pm and 4pm, Monday to Friday).