asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to the Exchequer of allowing those in receipt of disabled persons maintenance allowances to claim dependent's allowance where applicable.
Written Answers . - Health Benefits .
353.
: The estimated cost of a scheme of allowances for dependants of persons in receipt of Disabled Persons Miantenance Allowance is £1 million.
354.
asked the Minister for Health the conditions necessary for qualification for mobility allowance: whether certain disabled persons are excluded by such conditions; if he will give details of the numbers in receipt of such allowances and the annual cost to the Exchequer (i) of the scheme at present and (ii) if the excluded classes were included.
: The scheme of mobility allowances for handicapped persons applies to persons in the age group 16 to 66 years who are living at home. However, an allowances once granted will be continued after pensionable age as long as the person meets the basic criteria.
There is a means test similar to that which operates for the purposes of the disabled persons maintenance allowance, that is, that by reason of disability the applicant is unable to provide for his maintenance and his spouse, if any, is unable to maintain him.
The basic medical conditions to qualify for payment of the allowance are as follows:
—The applicant is unable to walk, even with the use of artificial limbs or other suitable aids, or is in such a condition of health that the extra exertion required to walk would be dangerous.
—Inability to walk has to be likely to persist for at least one year.
—The applicant must not be forbidden for medical reasons from being moved.
—The applicant must be in a position to benefit from a change in his surroundings.
The total number in receipt of mobility allowances at 30 September 1980 was 655. The annual cost of the allowances for this number is approximately £100,000.
I am not clear what excluded classes the Deputy is referring to. If he has in mind persons otherwise eligible who are in residential or institutional care, it is estimated that the additional cost, if the scope of the scheme was extended to them, would be approximately £30,000.
355.
asked the Minister for Health if he will list the entitlements other than cash, a person in receipt of disabled persons maintenance allowance receives.
: A person in receipt of disabled persons maintenance allowance is entitled to the following further benefits: (1) a medical card; (2) a grant for housing adaptations necessary for his proper accommodation if he is physically handicapped or suffering from severe mental handicap or severe mental illness; (3) free travel pass; (4) subject to certain further conditions, free electricity allowance, free monochrome television licence and free fuel vouchers.