From: coltman478@talktalk.net
Sent: 10 February 2011 13:59
To: DWP Consultation DLAReform
Subject: DLA Consultation

From SA Coltman
Chairman SW Veterans Advisory & Pension Committee

Dear Sir/Madam

I am afraid we only had a short time to consult on this.
Disability Living Allowance – Proposed Changes
I am responding to the DWP Consultation Exercise as the Chairman of the South West Veterans & Advisory Committee.

Whilst we fully understanding the nee for some change, we have the following concerns:

  a.. We note that it is proposed to remove DLA (Mobility) from those residing in Care Homes.  Many have the ability to get out of the Homes on a daily basis and will rely on the Allowance to either fund a Motabilty vehicles or a scooter.  The loss of this allowance, in many cases, will mean that they lose the essential ability to get out off the Home.  It should not be removed.
·        We note that people must experience conditions for six months before and be expected to continue to experience conditions for a further six months in order to qualify for the new benefit (including people likely to want to transfer from DLA).  Whilst the need for ensuring the condition exists for a period is accepted and also that the conditions are serious enough, certain categories should retain the automatic entitlement eg double amputees, paraplegics, tetraplegics and certified blind.  These condition impact from Day one and they should retain the current entitlement.

  a.. Medicals.  We are concerned over the some the medicals carried out are too cursory with target times for completion eg 20 minutes.  It is essential that Medicals are carried out properly otherwise there will be lack of confidence in the system.
We note that the DWP Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller MP, confirmed in December 2010 that the Government plans include a 20% cut in DLA expenditure.  To make these targets prior to the introduction of any change does not give people confidence that the exercise will be a level playing field.

With best wishes

Stephen Coltman

Chairman