§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is his estimate of the cost of extending eligibility for severe disability premium by disregarding any non-dependant in receipt of either mobility component of disability living allowance; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will extend the criteria for eligibility for severe disability premium as recommended by the social security advisory committee in its eighth report; and if he will make a statement;
84W(3) what is his estimate of the cost of extending the criteria for eligibility for severe disability premium as recommended by the social security advisory committee in its eighth report; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what is his estimate of the cost of extending eligibility for severe disability premium by disregarding any non-dependant in receipt of the lower care component of disability living allowance; and if he will make a statement;
(5) what is his estimate of the cost of extending eligibility for severe disability premium by disregarding any non-dependant who is registered blind; and if he will make a statement;
(6) what is his estimate of the cost of extending eligibility for severe disability premium by disregarding any non-dependant over the age of 75 years; and if he will make a statement;
(7) what is his estimate of the cost of extending eligibility for severe disability premium by disregarding any non-dependant in receipt of severe disablement allowance; and if he will make a statement;
(8) what is his estimate of the cost of extending eligibility for severe disability premium by disregarding any non-dependant in receipt of invalidity benefit, or who was in receipt of invalidity benefit, immediately prior to becoming eligible for retirement pension; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeWe have always made it plain that we intended the severe disability premium to be payable to people on income-related benefits, getting attendance allowance—or the middle or upper rate care component of disability living allowance—who live independently with no one receiving invalid care allowance for looking after them. Nonetheless, the committee has produced a carefully balanced set of proposals for extension of the premium. These proposals merit serious consideration, which they will receive, although I can give the right hon. Member no assurances about the outcome of our deliberations.
The estimated cost of extending eligibility to the premium as recommended by the committee is in the order of £25 million to £30 million.
The estimated costs of extending eligibility by disregarding each of the specified groups of non-dependants are shown in the table.
Non-dependants to be disregarded Estimated cost £ million Those in receipt of either rate of mobility component of disability allowance 2 Those in receipt of lower care component of disability living allowance 1 Those registered blind less than 1 Those over the age of 75 15 to 20 Those in receipt of severe disablement allowance 2 Those in receipt of invalidity benefit 4 Those who have been in receipt of invalidity benefit immediately prior to becoming eligible for retirement pension 1— Note: All costs are in 1991–92 prices. 1 No reliable information on which to base an estimate
§ Mr. PaiceTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made regarding the impact of disability living allowance on income of sufferers from myalgic encephalomyelitis who were previously in receipt of mobility allowance.
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§ Mr. ScottPeople receiving mobility allowance were transferred automatically to the higher rate of the mobility component of disability living allowance. If they were not already receiving attendance allowance they were invited also to claim either the care component of disability living allowance or, if over 65, attendance allowance.
Like attendance allowance and mobility allowance, disability living allowance is awarded with regard to a person's care or mobility needs, not on the basis of a aparticular medical condition.