As we reported in December, the Government has proposed several changes to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in recent weeks and months.
You have been contacting us in your hundreds to tell us your concerns with the proposals, and we have been busy preparing to campaign strongly on this issue.
As ever, we need your help to make our campaign as effective as possible.
What is the Government proposing?
The Government is planning to change DLA into something called the ‘Personal Independence Payment’ (PIP). This will include changing the assessment process for the benefit from a self-assessment to an objective assessment by a medical professional.
Much of this change is driven by spending cuts, with plans set out in last year’s emergency budget to reduce projected expenditure on DLA (or PIP) by 20% in the next three years. We have serious concerns about the profound impact this could have on people with autism and their families.
These changes are expected to be for working-age disabled adults only. However, the Government is reviewing whether to replace child DLA too. You can find out more about these proposals here.
What has the NAS been doing about this?
We have already been raising our concerns with the Government for a number of weeks in meetings with Ministers, advisers, civil servants, MPs and members of the House of Lords.
Last week, in partnership with the Disability Benefits Consortium, we submitted a robust response to the Government’s consultation proposing changes to DLA. Read our response in full.
We have also published a joint report with 20 other disability charities calling for the Government to reverse their proposal to scrap the DLA mobility component for those in residential care. Read this report.
We really need evidence on how people use their DLA to demonstrate its importance for people with autism.
We want case studies about people with autism from all parts of the spectrum, including both adults and children. We are particularly keen to hear from adults with high-functioning autism or Asperger syndrome, as we think that think this group is at particular risk of losing out from the changes, if the new assessment does not recognise their needs.
We have developed a short questionnaire for you to fill out to tell us about how you use DLA. Follow this link to access the questionnaire.
What else can you do?
- Email or meet with your MP to outline your concerns about the reforms. We can provide supportive material if you would find it helpful. Email policy@nas.org.uk for a briefing.
- Respond directly to the consultation on DLA yourself. Go to the Department of Work and Pensions website to read the consultation document and fill in the responses document.
Alternatively, send your thoughts on the reforms directly to: DLA Reform Team, 1st Floor, Caxton House, Tothill Street, London SW1H 9NA or email: consultation.dlareform@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
Please also let us have a copy of your response, by emailing policy@nas.org.uk
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