§ Maria EagleTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how he intends to respond to the Social Security Commissioner's decision that telephone conversations could in certain circumstances count as attention for the purpose of giving entitlement to Attendance Allowance or the care component of Disability Living Allowance. [131563]
§ Mr. BayleyWe know that many people get support from telephone contact with friends and advisers. However, the purpose of Attendance Allowance and the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is to provide a contribution for the extra costs of people who are so severely disabled that they need another person present to help them. We must ensure that the benefits are provided for those people for whom they were intended. Subject to Parliamentary approval, we therefore intend to introduce amending regulations to ensure that benefit entitlement is not available simply where people speak over the telephone or similar media.
Other assistance is available from social services and social work departments; they have powers to provide assistance with telephone expenses to people who are assessed as needing them for emergency situations.