Disabled Student Allowance

HC Deb 20 July 1998 vol 316 cc418-9W

Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if local education authorities are required to follow national criteria when allocating disabled student allowance; and if he will make a statement. [51427]

Dr. Howells

Disabled Students Allowances can be paid by local education authorities to students who can prove that they have a disability or medical condition which affects their ability to study. These allowances are payable as part of a mandatory award. The Mandatory Awards Regulations therefore provide the legal framework under which LEAs administer the allowances.

They have written guidance from my Department available to them on how to assess a student's eligibility for these allowances within that framework.