Disabled Students Allowance

Insurance For Students Eligible For Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

If you are a student on a higher education course in England and are eligible for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA), we can offer a range of insurance covers to provide peace of mind and assist with your studies.

Click here to apply for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA).

Benefits Include:

• Zero excess for computer equipment.
• Single article limits are doubled for students with Disabled Students Allowance (DSA).
  
• Computer equipment up to to £3,500 as standard (£7,000 on referral).
• Computer equipment not restricted to the desktop/laptop — can include items such as:
  • Text-to-speech software.
    
  • Digital voice recorder.
  • Note-taking software.
  • Note-taking hardware.
    
• Course fees & rental protection cover:
  
  If you are eligible for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA); the course fees and rent protection cover, has been extended it to include, pro-rata reimbursement of:
  
  • Specialist Equipment Allowance — up to the sum shown in your schedule.
  • Non Medical Helpers Allowance — up to the sum shown in your schedule.
    
  • General Allowances — up to the sum shown in your schedule.

Eligibility For Disabled Students Allowance (DSA):

• Course And Institution Eligibility
  
  You have to be on a full-time or part-time undergraduate course (degree, H.N.D. level or Foundation Degree). You may also qualify if you are on some full-time or part-time postgraduate course which requires a degree  or similar qualification. Visit direct.gov for further information.
  
  
• Evidence Of Disability
  
  You have to be able to prove that you have a disability, medical condition, sensory impairment, mental-health condition or a specific learning difficulty which affects your ability to study. This can be in the form of either a Doctor's Note or Diagnostic Report.
  
  
• You cannot receive Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)  if you are:
  
  
  • receiving support equivalent to Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) from another funding provider
  • an EU student
  • undertaking a full year, paid work placement as part of a sandwich-course.

Please Note: You cannot get Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) for more than one course at the same time.

Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) Needs Assessment:

• If you qualify for Disabled Students’ Allowance you will need to have a DSA Needs Assessment to decide on the support you will need on your course.

Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) Entitlement Letter:

• Your DSA Funding Provider will send you a letter to tell you what Assistive Technology and other Specialist Support they will pay for from the Disabled Students’ Allowance.

What does the Department for Education and Skills say about insuring Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) equipment?

• Paragraph 26 from the DfES Guidance to Local Authorities states:

It would be reasonable for any insurance or extended warranty costs and for any repair and modification costs arising from the ownership of such equipment purchased under the DSA to be set against this allowance. Where students do not take out insurance and equipment is stolen, any replacement of the equipment is at the students’ expense. The cost of replacement equipment should not be met by the DSA in such circumstances. Therefore, LEAs are advised to recommend to students that insurance cover is taken out for their DSA equipment. The insurance premiums can be paid from the DSA.

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