Independent Living Fund grants go up

Maximum grants by the Independent Living Fund to severely disabled people will rise from April, the government announced today.

“Disabled people have every right to lead full, independent lives and make their own contribution to the community. This new boost will be good news for severely disabled people, should their support needs increase in the future,” said Anne McGuire, minister for disabled people.

The highest weekly sum from the Independent Living 1993 Fund (for new applicants) increases from £420 to £455 per week.  Payments under the Independent Living Extension Fund (closed to new applicants since 1993) go up from £715 to £785 per week .

John Knight, head of policy at disability charity Leonard Cheshire called the increase “good news.”

“It shows the government is serious about enabling disabled people who have wide-ranging needs,” he said.