§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reason medical checks in respect of mobility allowance are carried out on a person who has a medically confirmed condition that will not improve; and what plans there are to change this system. [45893]
§ Maria EagleEntitlement to the mobility component of disability living allowance is based on the effects of a disabling condition and not the condition itself. Even where a condition remains unchanged, the effect on a person's ability to walk, or the help they need from other people when out and about, can change over time for a number of reasons, including medical treatment, therapy, or how the person adapts to their disability.
When considering entitlement to either care or mobility components of disability living allowance, the decision maker may request a report based on an examination by a specially trained Medical Services doctor. This is not primarily about diagnosis, but is intended to obtain an expert view of the disabling effects of the condition. The decision maker will consider this, along with any other evidence about their needs supplied by the disabled person, their medical attendants, carers or others with relevant information, to decide whether the relevant statutory provisions relating to entitlement are satisfied.
There is a substantial programme of work to modernise the administration of disability living allowance. This includes work to ensure that medical evidence is utilised as efficiently as possible.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on eligibility for mobility allowance. [45891]
§ Maria EagleMobility allowance was replaced by the mobility component of disability living allowance in 1992. The mobility component, which comprises a lower rate and a higher rate, is primarily to help people who are severely disabled early in life.
To qualify for the lower rate claimants must be aged five or over, and must be so severely disabled physically or mentally that they cannot take advantage of the faculty of walking out of doors without guidance or supervision from another person most of the time. To qualify for the higher rate claimants must be aged three or over, and must be so severely physically disabled that they are unable to walk or virtually unable to walk.
Approximately 1.5 million severely disabled people currently receive the higher rate and some 0.5 million receive the lower rate of the mobility component.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how often medical checks are carried out to ensure a person is still eligible for the mobility allowance. [45892]
§ Maria EagleThe former mobility allowance is now the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance (DLA). Assessment of a DLA claimant's medical condition occurs at the time of the initial claim, and at any subsequent review of entitlement. A review normally occurs when a decision is being made on a renewal of benefit in the case of limited-period awards; 649W or where the recipient themselves requests a review; or under the rolling programme of periodic review of long awards.