The introduction of DLA
7. DLA was introduced in 1992 in recognition
of the limitations of AA and MobA in not meeting the needs of
some groups of disabled people, e.g. people with learning disabilities
and people with visual impairments. Targeted on severity categories
5 and 6, some 140,000 people were expected to claim the new lower
rate of care, and 150,000 the lower rate of mobility.[6]
DSS research showed that the lower rates have been well-targeted
on the intended groups, but that people receiving lower rate awards
were scarcely less severely disabled than people on the higher
rates, and that a majority of lower rate recipients were more
severely disabled than anticipated.[7]
Although intended to be simpler, the new DLA comprised eleven
different levels of benefit with nine different criteria. A major
objective of the 1992 changes was the introduction of 'self-assessment',
enabling disabled people to describe the impact of their disability
rather than relying on routine medical assessments as was the
case with AA and MobA.
Disability Living Allowance :
brief description
8. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a benefit
based on care and mobility needs, payable to people who become
disabled before they reach the age of 65.[8]
DLA comprises two components, one for care and the other for mobility
needs. Either or both components can be payable to people who
satisfy the care and mobility tests, without a test of means,
employment record or national insurance contributions. DLA is
not taxed. Benefit can be made for an indefinite period ('life'
awards) or for a fixed term. DLA may operate as a 'passport',
giving automatic entitlement to other benefits.
The care component
9. There are three levels of payment based on
the frequency and amount of care or supervision required. The
weekly rates from April 1998 are :
Highest rate £51.30 — care
required during the day and night
Middle rate £34.30 — care
during either the day or night
Lower rate £13.60 — people
who need attention or supervision for a significant portion of
the day, or are unable to prepare a cooked meal (the "main
meal test").
The mobility component
10. There are two rates of payment for the mobility
component. The higher rate is payable to a range of disabled people,
including those who are unable to walk or are virtually unable
to walk or have no legs or feet, people who are deaf and blind
or are considered to be 'severely mentally impaired' with behavioural
problems. The lower rate is payable where outdoor mobility is
limited without guidance or supervision from another person. The
weekly rates from April 1998 are :
Higher rate £35.85
Lower rate £13.60.
Caseload and spending
11. Since DLA was introduced in 1992, there
has been an increase in caseload and spending on DLA, the numbers
having doubled from one million to almost two million in 1997/98.[9]
During the same period DLA spending has gone up from £2.2
billion to £5.0 billion at 1997/98 prices.[10]
Several explanations have been put forward for this growth including
the consequences of closing long-stay hospitals,[11]
demographic changes, take-up and advertising campaigns.[12]
Recent estimates of a greater prevalence of disability alongside
a low take-up rate (discussed in paragraphs 15 and 16) suggest
that there could be further increases in the numbers of disabled
people claiming the benefit.
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