What changes are proposed?

DLA vs PIP

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a non means-tested, tax-free benefit, payable to disabled people under the age of 65 years, whether they are in or out of work. It has two parts:

- A care component to provide help with personal care needs. This is paid at three different levels; lowest, middle and highest.
- A mobility component to assist people who have difficulties getting out and about independently. This is paid at two different levels, lower and higher.

Central to Personal Independence Payment will be a new, "objective assessment" that will focus on the ability of an individual to carry out a range of key activities necessary for everyday life. The assessment, which will be used to re-assess working age claimants and make new awards, will take into account evidence from healthcare professionals. In most cases the Government envisages the new assessment will include a face-to-face meeting with an independent healthcare professional, such as a doctor or occupational therapist.

The proposals mean Personal Independence Payment will continue to be paid as a non-means-tested cash benefit contributing to the extra costs of disability. It will have two components, like now, but will be focused around an individual's ability to get around independently (the mobility component) and their ability to carry out other key activities necessary to be able to participate in daily life (the daily living component).

On 1 February 2012, the Welfare Reform Bill returned to the Commons.  Using financial privilege, the Government overturned the amendments made to the Bill in the Lords and the Bill was passed and is now awaiting Royal Assent.  None of the changes overturned by the Commons specifically affect guide dog owners and our main concern about guide dogs being unfairly considered as part of the assessment has been taken into account.  There is still work to do before the Bill becomes an Act and is implemented, specifically regarding the assessment criteria and how the changes will affect blind and partially sighted people and Guide Dogs will work with other organisations to ensure that the rights of blind and partially sighted people are not unduly affected by these changes.