Paying for a diagnostic assessment Diagnostic assessments for specific learning difficulties (SpLD)
This information is for students who live in the UK. If you live outside of the UK see International students - disability support.
To help you get the support you need for studying, if you have a specific learning difficulty (SpLD), you’ll need a diagnostic assessment. It can also be used as evidence when applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). The Open University (OU) can help towards the costs for students who are eligible.
For eligible students, funding is available to pay for an SpLD diagnostic assessment for such things as dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia. Funding is also available for diagnosis of visual stress (also referred to as Irlen Syndrome, Meares-Irlen Syndrome or Scotopic Sensitivity).
We can give you advice and guidance on arranging your diagnostic assessment. There are different kinds of assessment and we can advise you which will be best for you, and explain the process of finding an assessor. If you live in England, contact the Disability Support Team. If you live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales contact your student support team.
Applying for help to pay for a diagnostic assessment
As an OU student living in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, you can apply for up to a maximum of £650 from the Study-related costs fund to help pay for a diagnostic assessment. You can also claim for travel costs to and from the assessment.
Reimbursement of costs for a diagnostic assessment will be paid directly to you after the assessment has taken place and only once your assessor has confirmed you have attended.
It is your responsibility to use these funds to pay your assessor for the assessment cost.
Funding not available for medical diagnoses of ADHD and autism
As diagnoses for ADHD and autism are available through the National Health Service (NHS) our funding does not cover the cost for these.
For students in England and Scotland
If you experience a delay in getting a diagnosis for ADHD and autism through the NHS, you may still be able to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) once you have a referral from your doctor onto the NHS waiting list. For further advice contact disability support.
How much of the payment will the fund cover?
You can get funding up to the maximum of £650 towards the cost of one diagnostic assessment.
If you receive one of the following benefits you'll get a 100% contribution, up to the maximum of £650, towards your diagnostic assessment:
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit (including Local Housing Allowance)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Universal Credit
- A reduction under the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (students in Wales only).
If you don't receive one of these benefits the amount you're eligible for towards the cost of the assessment will depend on your gross household income.
If your gross household income is between £0 and £25,000, you'll get a 100% contribution, up to the maximum of £650, towards your diagnostic assessment.
If your gross household income is between £25,001 and £49,999, you're eligible for a contribution towards the cost of your diagnostic assessment. The maximum support available will depend on both your income and your assessment cost.
For assessments costing up to £650, you’ll be eligible for a sliding percentage of your assessment cost. This will be in line with your income as shown in the following table. If the cost of your assessment is over £650, the maximum amount shown in the table, for your income, will apply.
| Gross household income | Award amount | Maximum amount available |
|---|---|---|
| £25,000.00 and under | 100% | £650 |
| £25,000.01 - £29,999.99 | 90% | £585 |
| £30,000.00 - £34,999.99 | 80% | £520 |
| £35,000.00 - £39,999.99 | 70% | £455 |
| £40,000.00 - £44,999.99 | 60% | £390 |
| £45,000.00 - £49,999.99 | 50% | £325 |
| £50,000.00 and over | 0% | £0 |
Example
If you have a household income of £30,000, you’ll be eligible for 80% of the cost of your diagnostic assessment. The maximum you’ll be eligible for with that income is £520.
Exactly how much you’ll be eligible for depends on the cost of your diagnostic assessment. You’ll only be eligible for the maximum amount if your assessment cost is £650 or over. For example:
- your assessment costs £500, you’ll be eligible for £400 (80% of £500)
- your assessment costs £650, you'll be eligible for £520 (80% of £650)
- your assessment costs £700, you'll be eligible for £520 (maximum amount for an 80% contribution).
Applying for the Study-related costs fund
You'll find the application form and guidance notes at Application for study-related costs.
Payments
If your application is successful, payment will be made to you after your assessment has taken place.
Study related costs payments are made using NatWest Payit. Payit offers a quick, easy and secure way for you to receive your payment directly into your bank account without you needing to share your bank account details with us. NatWest will send you an email providing you with a link to claim your funding, which will be released directly into your bank account.
You must have a UK bank account which is in your name to receive payment. Joint accounts are acceptable. For more information about NatWest Payit, see Receiving payments through NatWest Payit.
If you have concerns about paying the assessor directly yourself, contact Student Fees.
Support for specific learning difficulties
For more information on studying with specific learning difficulties and support available, see our Specific learning difficulties (SpLD) article.
Sending us your diagnostic assessment report
Once you have your diagnostic assessment you can use it to request specialist support. Complete the Disability Support Form and send us your diagnostic assessment report with it. For more information and options for completing the Disability Support Form see Telling the OU about your disability.
