Care home residents keep DLA/PIP mobility

2 December 2011

Disabled people living in residential care will continue to have their additional mobility needs met through Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller announced yesterday.

The news has been welcomed by campaigners but the Disability Alliance notes:

“The Government u-turn comes just before the controversial Welfare Reform Bill reaches Report Stage in the House of Lords (12th December) and is intended to ensure peers do not rebel against the Bill.

“However, the Treasury has previously confirmed that if Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) do not implement this cut the £160 million targeted reduction in DLA expenditure must be found elsewhere.

“With over £1.3 billion to be cut a year from general DLA expenditure by 2015/16 a further £160 million represents 44,000 disabled people losing average DLA payments elsewhere. We will be analysing the detail of the announcement and will be asking DWP if the £160 million must now come from alternative DLA savings.”