In light of the recent Coalition Budget, many people will be affected by the welfare changes, particularly the disabled.
The fact that Disability Living Allowance claimants will face medical tests in future will place further stress on disabled people, particularly those with mental health conditions.
To be assessed for Disability Living Allowance, the claimant must have medical evidence to back up their claim.
The loss of a Disability Living Allowance award can have a severe effect on many other benefits, including premiums for Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Housing and Council Tax Benefit, Social Fund payments and Carer’s Allowance. Many people rely on the Motability car, available via Disability Living Allowance, to get about.
Another point of note from the Budget is that the Government have stated that, from October 2010, 10,000 Incapacity Benefit claimants per week will be moved onto Employment & Support Allowance.
If these claimants fail the Employment & Support Allowance test, they will find themselves claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance instead.
Society has a duty to protect the disabled.
Any cuts in Housing Benefit will obviously have an effect on people. For example, a single, unemployed claimant without children will have to make up the shortfall out of their £65.45 per week unemployment payment.
Finally, the freezing on Child Benefit for 3 years will have an effect on many people, particularly combined with the announced rise in VAT.
Contact John Grady, Senior Welfare and Benefits Advisor at Gregory Abrams Davidson Solicitors on 0151 236 5000 for guidance on UK Welfare and Benefits issues including: Disability Living Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Housing & Council Tax Benefit, Social Fund, Carer’s Allowance, Motability, Employment & Support Allowance, Housing Benefit.
