From: Graham Simmons [GrahamSimmons@marthatrust.org.uk]
Sent: 23 December 2010 15:47
To: DWP Consultation DLAReform
Subject: Martha Trust

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

We are a medium sized charity providing residential and respite care services to people with profound and multiple disabilities.

 

Following the government’s announcement of its plans to cut DLA for people living in residential care, I wrote to Maria Miller citing examples of people in our care who receive DLA and for whom this benefit makes a vital difference to their ability to get out and about and be a part of their local community. The fee we receive from the local authority or PCTs in most cases does not include an allowance for mobility and this is something we can easily prove by way of contracts etc.

 

One service user CS uses her DLA to be able to see her mum each week as her mum cannot afford the transport costs herself. Without this benefit CS would not be able to see her mum nearly as frequently.  I know the government wishes to apply these changes fairly but as things stand it will hurt some of the most vulnerable people in our society who cannot speak up for themselves.

 

I will be happy to provide you with more information if required and hope that this brief submission coupled with the many others you will not doubt have received will allow you to rethink the proposals as they currently stand.

 

Thank you for your assistance.

 

Graham Simmons 

 

 

Graham Simmons

Chief Executive

Martha Trust, Homemead Lane, Hacklinge, Deal, Kent, CT14 0PG

Tel 01304-615223

Fax: 01304-615462

http://www.marthatrust.org.uk/

Regd Charity: 1067885

Company No: 3467406