§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the reasons for(a) disregarding disability living allowance for assessment purposes under the Child Support Acts and (b) taking it into account in the severe disability allowance. [28033]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellDisability living allowance is paid in recognition of the additional needs of a disabled person. It is disregarded in the assessment of child support maintenance liability since it would be inappropriate to treat it as income available for that purpose.
For this reason the allowance is disregarded in calculating entitlement to severe disablement allowance and the severe disability premium in income support. Severe disability allowance does not exist.