AQW 39022/11-15

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 19/11/2014
Answered On Date: 01/12/2014
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Social Development what support exists for people with a disability who are living in severe hardship, due to their Disability Living Allowance being cut, until they can prove that they are eligible for the replacement Personal Independence Payment.

Answer:

No Disability Living Allowance claimants are having their benefit cut until they can prove that they are eligible for Personal Independence Payment. This is because Personal Independence Payment has not been introduced in Northern Ireland.

Subject to the Welfare Reform Bill successfully completing its passage through the Northern Ireland Assembly all existing Disability Living Allowance working age claimants (age 16-64) will be reassessed for Personal Independence Payment over a period of time. Under that reassessment process the claimant continues to receive Disability Living Allowance at the same rate until their PIP eligibility is determined.