Lifelong learning is important for everyone in the job market. But if you have a disability, courses and education can be an extra challenge. Personal assistance for education ensures that you have the same opportunities to develop your skills as everyone else.
This scheme is particularly important in a time when the job market is changing rapidly. New technologies, new working methods, and new skill requirements mean that continuing education is necessary to stay relevant. You should not be held back by your disability.
The best part of the scheme? It can be combined with personal assistance for work. So you can have one solution at work and another solution when you take courses or education.
What is personal assistance for education?
Personal assistance for education gives you the opportunity to receive help during courses, continuing education, or further education. The purpose is to ensure that your disability does not prevent you from developing your skills.
The scheme covers both the teaching itself and preparation. This means you can get help both in the classroom and when you study at home or prepare assignments.
What can the assistant help with?
The personal assistant can help with many different tasks:
- Secretarial assistance: Help taking notes, writing assignments, or handling documents during teaching.
- Sign language interpreter: If you have hearing impairment, you can get an interpreter who translates the teaching into sign language.
- Written interpreter: An interpreter who writes what the instructor says so you can read along in real-time.
- MHS interpretation: Interpretation for people who are deaf-blind.
- Video interpretation: Remote interpretation via video when physical presence is not practical.
- Support for structure and planning: Help keeping track of assignments, deadlines, and study materials.
- Practical help: Assistance with physical tasks such as carrying materials, navigating the educational institution, or similar.
Example: Maria has ADHD and is taking an AMU course in project management. She receives personal assistance in the form of support for structure and planning. The assistant helps her keep track of assignments and ensures she doesn't lose overview. Maria participates fully in the teaching – the assistant just compensates for her challenges with overview.
Who can receive personal assistance for education?
You may be covered by the scheme in several different situations:
1. If you are unemployed
As unemployed, you can receive personal assistance when you participate in:
- Guidance and upskilling: Courses through the Jobcenter (Danish employment office) as part of your activation plan.
- Job-oriented education: Short vocational courses that strengthen your job opportunities.
- Part-time education with unemployment benefits: If you take an education while receiving unemployment benefits (dagpenge).
2. If you are employed
As an employee or self-employed, you can receive assistance for regular continuing and further education within your profession. This applies to courses and education you take outside of normal working hours.
3. In connection with employment
If you receive a subsidy for upskilling as part of a new employment, you can receive personal assistance during the upskilling.
4. During rehabilitation or job clarification
If you are in rehabilitation or a job clarification process, you can receive assistance for the education that is part of your process.
How many hours can you receive?
The number of assistance hours is always allocated based on a specific assessment of your needs. There is no fixed maximum – it's about what is necessary for you to participate in the education.
The subsidy can be given for:
- Teaching hours: Help during the teaching itself.
- Preparation: Help with reading, writing assignments, and preparing for teaching.
This means you can get a realistic assessment of your total needs – not just the time you spend in the classroom.
Can the scheme be combined with other schemes?
Yes, personal assistance for education can be combined with other disability support schemes:
- Personal assistance for work: You can have one assistant at work and another (or the same) during education. The two schemes are separate, so you apply for them individually.
- Aids and equipment: If you also need special aids during education, you can apply for that in parallel.
- Mentor scheme: A mentor can support you in the broader perspective, while the assistant helps with specific tasks.
It's about finding the combination that suits your particular situation and needs.
How to apply for personal assistance for education
The process for applying is similar to personal assistance for work:
- Contact your caseworker: Talk to your caseworker at the Jobcenter (Danish employment office). Explain which education you are taking and what challenges your disability creates.
- Describe your needs specifically: Be as specific as possible about what help you need. The more specifically you can describe it, the easier it is to assess.
- Assessment: The Jobcenter assesses your needs and determines how many hours you can be allocated.
- Coordination: Often the scheme is coordinated with the educational institution so the assistant can show up for teaching.
Tip: Apply well in advance before the education starts. It takes time to get an allocation in place, and you want to have everything ready from day one.
The difference between personal assistance for education and SPS
You may have heard of SPS (Special Educational Support). It is important to understand the difference:
- SPS: Is targeted at students in regular education (high schools, vocational education, higher education). The support is allocated by the educational institution via the Danish Agency for Education and Quality.
- Personal assistance for education: Is targeted at employed people participating in continuing and further education. The support is allocated through the Jobcenter.
If you are unsure which scheme applies to you, your caseworker can help clarify it.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying too late: Apply well in advance before the course or education begins. It can take weeks to get an allocation in place.
- Forgetting preparation time: Remember to apply for hours for both teaching and preparation if you need both.
- Thinking you are already covered: Even if you have personal assistance at work, you must apply separately for education.
Practical tips
- Apply well in advance – preferably several weeks before the education starts
- Be specific about which tasks you need help with
- Remember to mention both teaching and preparation
- Contact the educational institution and tell them about the scheme
- Feel free to combine with other schemes if it makes sense
- Follow up on the allocation so everything is in place at the start
Frequently asked questions
Can I get personal assistance for online courses?
Yes, the scheme also covers online teaching. You can, for example, get help navigating digital platforms, taking notes during webinars, or getting interpretation via video.
What if the course is very short – for example only one day?
You can get personal assistance for short courses. The allocation is adapted to the duration of the education. Contact the Jobcenter as early as possible, as short courses require quick case processing.
Does the scheme cover transportation to the education location?
No, personal assistance does not cover transportation. If you need help with transportation, there may be other schemes that can help. Talk to your caseworker about your options.
Next step
You now have a good overview of personal assistance for education. In the next guide, we look at aids and equipment – a scheme that can supplement personal assistance by giving you the physical tools you need.
Read more on borger.dk, or contact your caseworker at the Jobcenter to get a specific assessment of your options. Remember to apply well in advance before your education starts.