§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consultation he undertook and what evidence his Department evaluated before setting an age limit of 20 years, before which a disability must have occurred, in applications for severe disablement allowance. [58580]
§ Mr. TimmsWe consulted widely following the publication in March of the Government's Green Paper "New ambitions for our country: A new contract for welfare" and received over 1,050 responses from numerous organisations including organisations of and for 621W disabled people. One of the concerns they raised was the low level of Severe Disablement Allowance compared to the long-term rate of Incapacity Benefit.
The proposals for reform of Severe Disablement Allowance, set out in the Consultation Paper "Support for Disabled People", increase the level of benefit payable to people who become disabled early in life and claim benefit before the age of 20 to the long-term rate of Incapacity Benefit (£78.30 a week at 1998–99 rates). By the age of 20, those who wish to try work should have been able to discover whether or not employment is a realistic option. Those aged 20 or over, who become disabled or long-term sick later in life, will have had the opportunity to work and pay contributions to qualify for Incapacity Benefit in the normal way.
We are consulting on these proposals and we will consider all comments and alternative proposals made as part of the consultation process. The consultation period ends on 8 January 1999.