§ Rachel SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of appeals against refusal of an award of Disability Living Allowance were successful; and how many appeals were made in each of the last three years. [2203]
§ Maria EagleThe information is in the table.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) appeal decisions Total appeals received in the Appeals Service1,2 Successful appeals following hearing by Appeals Service (percentage)3,4 1998 47,025 14,900 (32%) 1999 49,857 16,200 (32%) 2000 57,522 20,800 (36%) 1 Figures are based on 100 per cent. data from DLA computer system. 2 Figures relate to appeals due to refusal of benefit or dissatisfaction with award. 3 Figures are based on 5 per cent. data and relate to 12 months ending November. 4 Successful appeals do not include successful appeals against the rate or period of an award of an existing award. Notes:
1. It is likely that the increase in the appeal success rate between 1999 and 2000 (an increase from 32 per cent. to 36 per cent) results from the introduction of DMA in late 1999, together with the pressure of the recovery that followed during 2000. DMA introduced a number of changes to the decision-making process, including a move away from a mandatory review prior to the appeal going forward, to a reconsideration as part of the appeal procedure. Decisions appealed against are now routinely reconsidered, but we are aware that some decision-makers need time to become proficient in the new procedures following DMA implementation.
2. The figures quoted in the reply relate only to refusals of DLA. It is worth noting that the total figure for all DLA appeals shows no significant change in overturn rate in the same period.
Source:
Department for Work and Pensions