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Disability Learning Allowance and funding

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
edited March 27 in Work & Study
I've applied for it, however when I logged in to my Kingston account I've been put down for having dyslexia when i don't, I have dyspraxia, which is different.

Anyway, my main concern is that whilst I have applied for help waaaay back in spring I haven't heard anything. Also, all the people I know in uni only received any kind of support and their equipment in May, when their course was pretty much over for the first year. Do all people have to wait that long or is it just my shitty council?

It's not like I can't do any work or that I'm retarded, I'd just really appreciate help with certain areas. Also, I applied for my loan all the way back then and haven't heard anything for months... No conformation or anything. I've been chasing them up but they keep on saying that staff are on holiday or that letters are in the process of being sent. Should I be concerned?
Post edited by JustV on

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Lots of people have to wait too long. Because lots of people are too stupid/lazy to hassle for the gear. I've already told you that you need to hassle them, hassle them until they beg you to stop calling. Ring every day, get names of the people in the relevent department, ask to speak to them specifically.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I have been, but they keep on telling me that they're sorting the letters, or that people are on holiday who are doing the DLA letters.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    So? Who are the people on holiday? Why are they the only people compentent enough to do the job. Do Not stop hassling them. Or you will wait all year for the help you need.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yeah good point. Like I've said I've even been put down as having the wrong disability... Why the hell are the council employing these morons?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    TBH, your disability doesn't really matter. Especially because your specific problem is defined differently by a dozen different people (and of course, dyslexia and dyspraxia are two different problems with the same section of the brain). It's nothing personal, but as an example, the dyspraxia you describe, is nothing like the dyspraxia I am supposed to have.

    As it goes, have you had your needs assessment for equipment yet? If you haven't you need it and need it now. If you have, it doesn't matter what you're down with, because the equipment you need is already prescribed (as it were). Anyway, as I say, stop wasting time, and start causing some trouble.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I went there today and got the same as always... The person is still on holiday... I wish I could afford to go away for three weeks at a peak time of work in the year.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Look, they can't seriously have just one person.

    Answer the following,

    Have you got a certificate of disability?
    if yes
    Have you had an assesment of need?
    if yes
    Have you recieved the report of recommendations?
    if yes
    Have you contacted the supplier?

    If you have answered no to any of the above, then give me a shout, and I'll tell you how to do it.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yeah, I have a thingy to say I'm dyspraxic.

    I haven't done any of the others... basically I applied in spring and every time I go back either somebody is on holiday or they're working on it. I have had an assessment done by an educational psychologist in the Dyscovery centre that hightlights good and bad points though.

    How long did it take them to do stuff for you?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I went round them, and sent them the bill each time.

    Ring them, and ask them for the phone number for your nearest assessment centre, or the central office number, so that you can find out the place near you to go to get an assessment of need, to find out what stuff you have to have to be able to do uni.

    When you've done that, send the invoice with a cover note to your LEA.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Just to re-iterate what Fiend has said- do not stop hassling the council and everyone else who is there to help.

    They don't give a crap about you, they will fob you off as much as they can. All council workers are the same, they will fob you off instead of helping you. It's their job.

    You have to make it that it is easier for them to give you the help than it is to keep fobbing you off. Make them care, get in their hair, cause a scene. They won't care unless you hassle them so much that they are desperate to get rid of you.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I told 'em I'd be back on Monday, my friends are having trouble too.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Kermit wrote:
    They won't care unless you hassle them so much that they are desperate to get rid of you.
    ........... or they might do you for harrassment :p
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I told 'em I'd be back on Monday, my friends are having trouble too.
    Then I have no doubt that your LEA is SHIT. Follow what I've told you to do, go around them, and send them the invoices.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yeah I have a full diagnosis from a specialist place. My loan papers have now come through and I have to take it to the university when I go to enrol.

    Just nothing on disability stuff.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Well I've been there and things have been messed up. I can't get an assessment locally so I have to try and get one in uni. :(

    At least they said sorry.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Why can't you get one locally. What uni you going to?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I cant help you with your question but was just wondering
    what sort of dyspraxia do you have and how did you get diagnosed?
    Its just I strongly suspect my son could be dyspraxic and am waiting to see the clinic about it, but I hear it is really difficult to diagnose.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    It is difficult to diagnose, because no-one knows what it is. It isn't as well researched and stuff as dyslexia.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Fiend_85 wrote:
    Why can't you get one locally. What uni you going to?
    Noipe, a week and a half is too short notice to get an assessment in my local uni so I have to organise everything myself now. Basically their way of saying "sorry we fucked up, but you're on yer own kid."
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I applied for DLA once i'd started uni, the process started about halfway through the first term and i got all my stuff in the second term. keep reciepts and records of stuff that you use like photocopying, any extra transport costs etc, so that you can claim that back. have you tried ringing your uni's Disability Service now so as to get in as early as possible with them?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I nagged and nagged and had my assessment today... I'm really tired now.

    Thanks for all for your help. I have been told that Wrexham LEA is very quick and I should have my equipment by the end of October (lol yeah right).
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    it's pushing it. but potentially possible. The companies behind the grants tend to be a lot more professional.
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