§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to improve levels of means-tested benefits available to blind or partially sighted people.
§ Mr. BurtThe income-related benefits currently have a number of features which raise the levels available to blind people. Registered blind people automatically qualify for the disability premium or higher pensioner premium in income support, housing benefit or community charge benefit on the basis of their blindness alone. A blind person who has the disability premium is able to earn up to £15 a week before their benefit is affected. In addition, where a blind person or their partner is responsible for rent or other housing costs no deductions are made in respect of any non-dependents living with them, as would otherwise be the case. These special rules do not apply to partially sighted people. They can, however, benefit from the help available to disabled people generally if they meet the standard conditions. We have no plans to change this policy.
495W
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will now conduct a survey to investigate whether new benefits replacing attendance allowance and invalidity allowance for blind people are succeeding in meeting the mobility needs of blind or partially sighted people of all ages; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottWe continue to monitor carefully awards of disability living allowance-attendance allowance for people over 65 following the introduction of the new benefits in April.