UK benefit U-turn is half a victory

Having read the article in April’s Connexion on the exporting and reinstating of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance, I would like to bring to your attention that the British Government have agreed to pay only half of the benefit.

Both benefits are made up of either one or both of a "care component" or a "mobility" one, both of which are paid to disabled people living in the UK.

The decision to reinstate the benefits to disabled people living within the EU only included the care component. The fight now goes on to try and get a ruling from the European Courts on the mobility one.

At the moment a disabled person living in France who has the ability to wash, dress and take care of themselves (so cannot have the care part) is denied reinstatement of their benefit even though they may be eligible for the mobility part (which is to help those with difficulties walking).

This infringes on their human rights and breaks anti-discrimination laws.

To be granted the care component you have to be extremely disabled and to need help with daily living tasks.

Why the European Court overlooked the issue of mobility when they made a ruling back in 2007 is anyone’s guess but the fight goes on.

The problem is that it is going to take a long time for this matter to be resolved and many of us may not be around when it is.

The government knows that it is going to take a long time and they are happy for this situation to continue as they do not have to pay out.

Denis R Taft
By email