Legacy Benefits People with Severe Disabilities
2021-12-13
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raises concerns about legacy benefits adequacy for individuals with severe disabilities.
What recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of legacy benefits for people with severe disabilities?
People on legacy benefits with severe disabilities are most likely to get employment and support allowance. Income-related ESA claimants may be entitled to the enhanced disability premium or the severe disability premium. Claimants may also be eligible for personal independence payments to help with the extra costs of living faced by disabled people.
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Assessment & feedback
The adequacy assessment requested was not addressed directly.
Describing Alternative Benefits Without Addressing Adequacy
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlights a constituent's situation where moving from income support to universal credit results in the loss of severe disability payment, raising concerns about worsening conditions.
I am sure the whole House agrees that a good society is one that helps those in great need. I have a constituent in great need. She was in receipt of income support and the severe disability premium, but her child is now aged five so she has been told to claim universal credit, which will cause her severe disability payment to end. What assurances can the Minister give my constituent that we are still in a good society and that, by being forced into this change in her benefits, she will be no worse off?
It would be difficult for me to comment on the hon. Member's constituent's precise circumstances, although I am happy to look at the case if she wants to write to me with details. As a general point, to support claimants previously entitled to the severe disability premium who moved to universal credit after a change of circumstances, there are transitional payments protections in place.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific assurances requested for the constituent were not given directly.
Offered General Information Instead
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP inquires about the release of a DWP-commissioned NatCen report assessing the adequacy of health and disability benefits, citing previous requests from the Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee.
The DWP commissioned NatCen to undertake research on the uses of health and disability benefits. As my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford South (Judith Cummins) eloquently outlined, that research, which assesses the adequacy of benefits for disabled people, is vital. Several requests have been made for the report to be made public, including by the Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, but they have all been refused. Will the Minister release the report? If not, can she explain what the Government are hiding?
The short answer is no. The longer answer was given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the Work and Pensions Committee only last week.
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Assessment & feedback
Direct release request not answered, referenced previous committee discussion instead.
Referenced Past Responses
Response accuracy