§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what benefits are available to individuals and their families, following a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. [130263]
§ Maria EagleI have been asked to reply.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a developmental disorder in children. In Great Britain, a child with this disorder may be entitled to disability living allowance if the symptoms impair the child's normal functioning to the extent that they amount to a severe disability and the normal entitlement conditions1 are met. The additional benefits which, subject to the normal entitlement conditions, are available to families 971W in Great Britain with disabled children who qualify for disability living allowance are shown in the table. The Family Fund Trust, which is funded by government,
Benefits available to families in Great Britain with children who qualify for disability living allowance Disability living allowance component and rate Additional benefits available Care component (all rates) and mobility component (all rates) Disabled child premium in income related benefits2, or the disability element of child tax credit Highest rate care component Enhanced disability premium and the disabled child premium in income related benefits, or the disability element and severe disability element of child tax credit. Highest or middle rate care component Carer's allowance3 Higher rate mobility component Access to the Motability, "Blue Badge" and Vehicle Excise Duty Exemption schemes 1 Entitlement to disability living allowance depends on the effects that a severe physical or mental disability have on a person's need for personal care and/or their ability to walk. It is the overall picture of need in the individual case, rather than the specific diagnosis that is important. Children under 16 years of age with a severe disability can qualify for any rate of the the care component arid the lower rate mobility component of disability living allowance if they are so severely disabled that their need for attention, supervision or watching over by another person is substantially in excess of that normally required by children of their age. Those who qualify for the highest rate of the care component may also qualify for the higher rate of the mobility component if they exhibit extreme and unpredictable disruptive behaviour as the result of arrested or incomplete development of the brain. 2 Income support, jobseeker's allowance (income related), housing benefit and council tax benefit. 3 Entitlement to carer's allowance can also give entitlement to the carer premium in income related benefits. The benefits available to individuals and their families in Northern Ireland, following a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, are a matter for my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.