Disabled people in care homes to retain DLA benefit

Disabled people living in residential care will continue to receive the mobility component of the disability living allowance and personal independence payment, minister for disabled people Maria Miller announced today.

The government had proposed to remove the mobility component of DLA from October 2012, but has made a U-turn following months of consultation with disabled people and disability organisations, as well as disability rights campaigner Lord Low’s inquiry into scrapping the mobility component, which called for the benefit to be retained.

DLA is to be replaced with PIP in 2013.

Miller said: “The reasoning behind the original decision was to ensure there were no overlaps in funding leading to double payments. We have spent the last few months gathering information and evidence and visiting disabled people in care homes to find out directly from them how their mobility needs are actually met in practice.

“We found a complex set of overlapping responsibilities have evolved which have allowed different local authorities to deal with the issue of funding of mobility in care homes in very different ways and some practices which have lead to overlaps in funding.

“However, I have always been clear that I would not make any change that would stop disabled people from getting out and about. Which is why after listening to the strong concerns of disabled people and their organisations, I have taken action and decided not to remove the payment.”

An amendment to the Welfare Reform Bill will be brought forward to enable this decision to be carried through into PIP.

What do you think?Join the debate on CareSpace

Keep up to date with the latest developments in social care. Sign up to our daily and weekly emails

Related articles:

Government U-turn on scrapping mobility allowance expected

Charities launch review of disability benefit cut