§ Mr. SarwarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on(a) the special needs of people affected by epilepsy in applying for Disability Living Allowance and (b) Government proposals to improve the application process relating to them. [127722]
§ Mr. BayleyEligibility for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is based on a person's needs, and not on recognition of their specific medical condition. People with epilepsy, as with other potentially disabling conditions, are therefore asked by the Benefits Agency to state their care and mobility needs arising from their condition when completing a DLA claim form. Decision makers are given information on the care and mobility needs arising from disabilities, including epilepsy, in the "Disability Handbook", which is compiled by senior doctors in the Department and approved and monitored by the Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board. People claiming DLA are also able to make free calls to the Benefits Inquiry Line to help them with their application.
It is particularly important, given the potentially vulnerable nature of claimants and their carers, that the application process for disability benefits is as straightforward and sensitive as possible. In consultation with a small group of disability organisations, we are trialling improved ways of gathering the information we need to deal with claims. This includes visiting claimants in their homes, to help us get a clearer picture of their disability and how it affects them.