Is this the end of Disability Living Allowance?
Recently the Government published a Green Paper on the reform of care services in the UK. It's called Shaping the Future of Care Together and you can read it .
However, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), a benefit which is claimed by many deaf people to help with their living costs, is an area of potential reform in this Green Paper. It is suggested that Disability Living Allowance could be replaced by other forms of payment, or turned into an agreed personal budget administered by local council social services.
Many deaf people are up in arms about this - with messages going around saying that there are 100 Days left to save DLA. The website has mounted a hard hitting online campaign with thousands of people signed up to their cause.
However, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), a benefit which is claimed by many deaf people to help with their living costs, is an area of potential reform in this Green Paper. It is suggested that Disability Living Allowance could be replaced by other forms of payment, or turned into an agreed personal budget administered by local council social services.
Many deaf people are up in arms about this - with messages going around saying that there are 100 Days left to save DLA. The website has mounted a hard hitting online campaign with thousands of people signed up to their cause.
At See Hear we did a little digging of our own. A Green Paper is a
document intended to stimulate discussion among the general public and
political parties. It is usually quite open ended, and is not legally
binding in any way. As Ian Noon describes it on his , it's the
Government 'thinking aloud' essentially. It may then be taken forward
into a White Paper, which is a statement of intent on behalf of the
government. Until then, there is a period of consultation which is
taking place - and everyone is invited to give their view.
Nick Johnson at the Department of Health clarified things for us:
"We think there is a case for drawing some disability benefits together with social care to enable us to deliver the new and better care and support system we want to create, and we want this to be one of the issues we discuss in this consultation.
But we will only do this if the new system can better support the needs of older and disabled people.
We know that disability benefits are popular because they provide a universal entitlement which does not depend on where a person lives, they provide a cash budget which can be spent on the services someone wants, and people often use them to support lower-level needs that help them to stay well for longer. These three aspects - a universal system that is consistent across the country; flexible methods of payment through personal budgets; and investment in prevention - will all be important components of the new system.
Whatever changes we make, we want to ensure that people receiving any of the relevant benefits at the time of reform would continue to receive an equivalent level of support and protection, under a new and better care and support system."
Disability Living Allowance won't suddenly stop in 100 days. It may be replaced by other forms of payment or care, but not immediately - there may be a lengthy transition period. Even before things get to that stage, you have a chance to make your own views known on this issue. There are many ways to do it on the official government website:
What do you think? If you claim DLA, what do you spend it on? Would having someone else take care of your needs be better or worse in the long run? Will you be making your views known to the Department of Health and the Government?
Nick Johnson at the Department of Health clarified things for us:
"We think there is a case for drawing some disability benefits together with social care to enable us to deliver the new and better care and support system we want to create, and we want this to be one of the issues we discuss in this consultation.
But we will only do this if the new system can better support the needs of older and disabled people.
We know that disability benefits are popular because they provide a universal entitlement which does not depend on where a person lives, they provide a cash budget which can be spent on the services someone wants, and people often use them to support lower-level needs that help them to stay well for longer. These three aspects - a universal system that is consistent across the country; flexible methods of payment through personal budgets; and investment in prevention - will all be important components of the new system.
Whatever changes we make, we want to ensure that people receiving any of the relevant benefits at the time of reform would continue to receive an equivalent level of support and protection, under a new and better care and support system."
Disability Living Allowance won't suddenly stop in 100 days. It may be replaced by other forms of payment or care, but not immediately - there may be a lengthy transition period. Even before things get to that stage, you have a chance to make your own views known on this issue. There are many ways to do it on the official government website:
What do you think? If you claim DLA, what do you spend it on? Would having someone else take care of your needs be better or worse in the long run? Will you be making your views known to the Department of Health and the Government?
Comment number 1.
At 2nd Sep 2009, Ian N wrote:Cheers for the blog mention. NDCS will be responding to the green paper later in the year so if you have any comments about the impact of these possible changes for deaf children, let us know and we'll do our best to incorporate in our response.
Ian Noon
campaigns@ndcs.org.uk
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 5th Sep 2009, MM wrote:I am not in opposition to a change in the application to deaf of the lower-rate at all. It provides nothing but pocket money, and not 'help to get around' anyway. IT is poor compensation for having little access to a social sphere. That would be via communication support, and again Lower rate DLA wouldn't cover 5 minutes of that.
Deaf people's primary issue is communication outside the home, we don't all live in a deaf club. I would like to see DLA given at LR removed and instead another allowance/voucher system given to cover 3/5 hours or so a week for an qualified interpreter or support worker to assist.
The main issue is of course this will immediately create demand for deaf support, and, allow deaf to widen horizons and interact with others. Lower Rate DLA is just seen as a 'perk' to buy a few beers, you would have to save it up for 4 weeks to get an hour's help by a terp. Our main problem is not just few terps about, but a poor demand for them. More demand will mean market force will provide. Deaf still depend heavily on family help.
DLA offers help via social areas, where official support which is free does not. I realise the view is contentious, because removing DLA also removes access to other allowances deaf may get, so we need first obviously to protect that. A new system of paying for our access support must not take away our rights as they are now.
I favour a voucher system, because I rather fear an 300% increase in an interpreter allowance, would not be spent that way ! It poses the question I suppose WOULD deaf prefer access help direct or the cash ? and WOULD they use the vouchers/cash for that purpose ? A voucher/allowance would be fail safe too, they could not be used to pay untrained people ! Rules could include proof of qualifications to a high standard.
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