HC Deb 28 October 1992 vol 212 cc669-70W
Mr. Alfred Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the reply to the right hon Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe of 3 July,Official Report, column 719, what information is available to him on the numbers of disabled people who receive no disabled facilities grants because the income or capital or family members is deemed excessive; what proportion of these do not consequently obtain the adaptations they require; if all such cases are automatically referred to the Department of Social Security for consideration of their duties under section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; and if he will make a further statement.

Mr. Baldry

The Department does not collect details of applicants for disabled facilities grant who do not qualify for assistance under the means test, because of the financial circumstances of family members, and who subsequently do not obtain the adaptations they need. There is no automatic referral procedure to social services departments. However, the Department jointly with the Department of Health, has reminded social services authorities of their responsibilities under the 1970 Act to provide financial assistance in cases where a disabled person will otherwise face hardship in meeting their share of the cost of adaptations.

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