Disability Living Allowance reforms
In December Maria Miller, Minister for Disabled People, announced proposals to radically reform Disability Living Allowance. This was somewhat of a surprise as the Conservatives had made a pre-election manifesto pledge to protect it - but now tell us that DLA expenditure is "unsustainable" and they want to cut the numbers of recipients by 20% amounting to 360,000 people across the U.K.
Those in residential care to have DLA stopped completely. Many charities oppose this decision as residents in residential care still need support to get out and about and cutting their benefit undermines their independence.
DLA consultation
Since October more details on DLA reforms have been revealed with the publication of a consultation document on the future of DLA. This consultation seeks your views on the government's proposals to replace DLA with a new benefit - Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from 2013/14. Personal Independence Payment will have two components. The 'Mobility' component, based on a person's ability to get around and the 'Daily Living' component, based on a person's ability to carry out other key activities necessary to participate in everyday life.
Other features of the benefit are as follows.
*** Claimants will have to qualify for the benefit for a period of six months and be expected to continue to qualify for a further period of six months before an award can be made.
*** There are are no automatic entitlements for people with certain health conditions or impairments, apart from special rules for people who are terminally ill. Everyone else - including existing DLA claimants - will have to reapply for PIP and have an 'objective assessment of individual need' including advice from an 'independent' medical professional.
*** Decisions will be based on the impact of the impairment or health condition, rather than basing the decision on the health condition or impairment itself.
***The new benefit will take greater account of aids and adaptions Just how these aids and adaptions will be taken into account is still being considered but it will now include wheelchairs as well as artificial limbs.
*** There will be a period of review of all awards.
*** Claimants will still be responsible for reporting changes that occur between reviews.
*** There will be penalties if a claimant knowingly fails to report a change that would have resulted in a reduction of benefit.
*** Review of how the new benefit will passport claimants to other benefits. This will include such things as access to Warm Front Grants and the Blue Badge scheme.
*** Motability will still be supported under the reformed system and people will be able to exchange the new benefit for a Motability vehicle.
*** The role of the independent healthcare professional is seen as crucial to the new assessment.
Although the government has already decided to introduce a Bill that will set out the legal framework underpinning this new benefit, the detail has yet to be decided. It is therefore important that people respond to the consultation as responses will will be used to inform secondary legislation.
The consultation period has been reduced to 9 weeks instead of the usual 12 meaning you only have two weeks left to respond as the deadline is 14th February 2011 You can download the consultation and find out more about how to respond from HERE ( http://www.dwp.gov.uk )
The government will publish the responses in Spring 2011 and the action they will take as a result.
If you, a family member or acquaintance are affected by this I urge you to pass the word by printing this article thus generating yours / theirs positive responses concerning the consultation.
