Disabled Motoring UK welcomes Government u-turn over disability benefit
Friday, December 2nd, 2011Disabled Motoring UK welcomes the news that plans to axe mobility benefit payments to disabled people living in care homes are being dropped. The Government had planned to cut the “mobility” part of Disability Living Allowance – currently worth £51 per week – for those in residential care, claiming that existing Local Authority contracts with care homes should cover residents’ mobility needs.
However, the highly controversial plan has now been dropped after a raft of criticism from charities, including Disabled Motoring UK.
Helen Dolphin, Disabled Motoring UK Director of Policy and Campaigns said: “I’m really pleased to hear that the Government has finally listened to reason and is not going to cut this benefit for the 80,000 disabled people living in care homes. I’ve been contacted by numerous people with relatives living in care homes terrified of losing this benefit. Without it their relatives would have been rendered housebound and unable to take part in activities outside the home. I’m glad that this threat has now been removed and disabled people in residential care homes will be able to continue receiving this vital benefit.”
An amendment to the Welfare Reform Bill will implement the change
Related posts:
- Government backs down over removal of DLA
- Disabled Motoring UK criticises Top Gear for parking in disability bays
- Disabled Motoring UK at Naidex South
- Disabled Motoring UK Launches Low Cost Scooter Insurance
- Will I lose my DLA at 65?