§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security over the last five years, and in the current year so far, how many recipients of disability living allowance have(a) had their eligibility reviewed by a medical examiner,(b) had allowance withdrawn as a result of the review,(c) taken the review to appeal and(d) won appeals. [44142]
548W
§ Mr. DenhamThe information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.
Entitlement to Disability Living Allowance is decided by adjudication officers, who take account of reports from medical practitioners.
Results of disability living allowance reviews and appeals Reviews decided Appeals decided Year All decisions Decided in favour of customer1 All decisions Decided in favour of customer1 1993–94 293,199 135,187 18,459 10,132 1994–95 316,589 153,594 26,225 16,516 1995–96 332,961 146,766 28,225 17,822 1996–97 359,334 143,755 35,551 21,064 1997–98 370,054 134,363 38,194 19,683 1998–99 24,587 8,229 3,381 1,663 1 Cases where an existing award is increased or an award is made following a review of a disallowance Note:
Figures are for April 1998
Source:
Analytical Services Division: 100 per cent. data
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people aged(a) 65 years or over,(b) 75 years or over and(c) 85 years or over are claiming disability living allowance (i) at the higher level and (ii) at the intermediate level in, (1) North Staffordshire health authority area, (2) the West Midlands health authority area and (3) nationally; and in each case what these figures are as a percentage of the total population. [44328]
§ Mr. DenhamThe information is set out in the table.
Disability Living Allowance comprises three rates of care component and two rates of mobility component.
549W
Age 65 and over 75 and over 85 and over North Staffordshire Total population1 76,143 32,516 7,784 Numbers and percentage who receive DLA2 Highest rate care 940 (1.2%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) Middle rate care 860 (1.1%) 40 (0.1%) 0 (0.0%) Higher rate mobility3 4,740 (6.2%) 480 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%) West Midlands Total Population1 741,622 496,476 111,715 Numbers and percentage who receive DLA2 Highest rate care 5,520 (0.7%) 220 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) Middle rate care 7,420(1.0%) 440 (0.1%) 0 (0.0%) Higher rate mobility3 32,400 (4.4%) 3,380 (0.7%) 40 (0.0%) Great Britain Total population1 7,990,121 5,408,847 1,273,204 Numbers and percentage who receive DLA2 Highest rate care 58,440 (0.7%) 3,340(0.1%) 40 (0.0%) Middle rate care 85,880(1.1%) 5,940(0.1%) 60 (0.0%) Higher rate mobility3 360,440 (4.5%) 41,020 (0.8%) 440 (0.0%) 1 Source: Office of National Statistics and Scottish Registrar, June 1996 estimates 2 Source: Analytical Services Division 5 per cent, data relating to 28 February 1998 3 Some awards comprise both care and mobility components and figures may overlap.
§ Mr. Peter BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households of non-pensionable age are dependent on the higher rate of disability living allowance. [43802]
§ Mr. DenhamThe information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.
People under pension age in receipt of the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance Disability Living Allowance Numbers in receipt Highest rate care and higher rate mobility 943,000 Highest rate care and lower rate mobility 192,000 Highest rate care only 35,000 Higher rate mobility and middle rate care 187,000 Higher rate mobility and lower rate care 172,000 Higher rate mobility only 294,000 Notes:
1. The table includes women under 60 and men under 65
2. Disability Living Allowance comprises two components. The care component may be awarded at one of three rates and the mobility component may be awarded at one of two rates. Depending on the circumstances of the individual, awards may include either or both component paid at the appropriate rate
3. Figures rounded to the nearest thousand
Source:
Analytical Services Division. Provisional numbers at 28 February 1998, based on 5 per cent. data
§ Ms HewittTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what information material is provided on disability living allowance in(a) braille(b) audio type and(c) other formats accessible to people with visual impairments; [43462]
(2) what steps she is taking to ensure that(a) information,(b) claim forms and(c) other material relating to disability living allowance are provided in (i) braille, (ii) audio tapes and (iii) other formats that meet the needs of people with sensory disabilities. [43463]
§ Mr. DenhamThe administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Ms Patricia Hewitt, dated 8 June 1998:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking what information material is provided on Disability Living allowance (DLA) in (a) braille, (b) audio type and (c) other formats accessible to people with visual impairments, and what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) information, (b) claim forms and (c) other material relating to DLA are provided in (i) braille, (ii) audio tapes and (iii) other formats that meet the needs of people with sensory disabilities.The Disability Claim Pack, Charter Standard Statement and all other correspondence or forms issued to customers about DLA can be converted into braille via the Transcription Service provided by the Benefits Agency (BA)'s Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL). The Charter Standard Statement is also available on cassette tape. Further information about the Transcription service and copies of the Charter Standard Statement cassette can be obtained from the Disability Benefits Unit (DBU) Customer Services Team at Warbreck House, Blackpool, telephone 01253 337240.Customers with hearing or speech difficulties, who have the use of a text phone and require information on DLA can use the Text Phone service which is provided by the Disability Benefits Directorate Customer Care Helpline. The contact number is 0345 224433. Minicom facilities and LOOP systems are also 550W available at the BA's regional Disability Benefit Centre's and the DBU. A video incorporating British Sign language and subtitles, entitled DV3 (Sickness & Disabled), is currently available by contacting the British Deaf Association or the Royal National Institute for the Deaf Helpline. This provides information on DLA and other Sickness Benefits.In addition to providing forms and correspondence in braille, the Transcription Service can also provide any information required in large print for those customers with a visual impairment. Information on DLA is not currently available on audiotape, however I have asked the DBU to actively consider whether this is possible and the Manager will write to you with the result of these deliberations. The BA is continually seeking to improve the service it offers to its customers in order to ensure that the needs of people with sensory disabilities are met in full.You may also wish to know that the BA has an Internet site on the World Wide Web. This is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at WWW.DSS.GOV.UK.I hope that this is helpful.