What the ‘Green Paper’ says about Attendance Allowance
In July the Government presented a Green Paper to Parliament entitled 'Shaping the Future of Care'. In it they set out proposals for creating a new care and support system and how the money could be found to pay for it. One proposal has set alarm bells ringing for many people who are getting Attendance Allowance.
Attendance Allowance is a non-means tested state benefit payable to people 65 or over who have personal care or supervision needs. Entitlement is decided upon the level and frequency of the care and/or supervision that is needed. It is payable at a lower rate of £47.10 per week or a higher rate of £70.35 per week.
Although still at the consultation stage, the government proposes to integrate 'some elements of disability benefits, for example Attendance Allowance, to create a new offer for individuals with care and support needs'. They do not make clear what the 'new offer' will be, but there is a strong implication that Attendance Allowance could be replaced with a different form of funding.
The report says that 'people currently receiving the affected benefits at the time of reform would continue to receive an equivalent level of support and protection'. Based on my experience of previous replacements of benefits, I'd expect this to be the case. Once the new system is in place, it will be people who become in need of care or support or those whose needs change who would feel the effects, whatever these may be.
In using the words 'disability benefits' the Government has created fear that the proposals may extend to the care component of Disability Living Allowance. The Government however, has assured Child Poverty Action Group that DLA is not under threat.
Action for Blind People will not back any plans that threaten to reduce the income received by blind or partially sighted people. We are currently working with the RNIB to prepare a response to the proposals.
The consultation period on the proposals set out in this Green Paper ends on 13 November 2009. A White Paper setting out the plans will be presented to Parliament in 2010. It is likely to be some time before the changes become law and the new care and support system is put into operation.
You can follow the progress of the consultation through the Action for Blind People website.
If you need more information on claiming Attendance Allowance now then you can contact us through the RNIB Helpline by calling 0303 123 9999 or you can contact your local Action team.
About Kevin
Kevin works as a welfare rights officer at Action for Blind People in Lancashire.
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Comments
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DLA Care Component, where it is already in payment, continues after age 65. I cannot imagine it won't therefore be affected.
Posted by Malcolm Laughton, 1 September 2009 (3 years ago)
