DWP Central Freedom of Information Team
e-mail: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.
gov.uk
Annex A
Our Re
f: VTR 3604
DATE: 26 Augu
st 2014
Dear Debbie Price,
Thank you for your Freedom of Information (FoI) request received on 14 August 2014. You
asked:
Ian Duncan Smith states in the Telegraph.
'DLA, which of itself is a payment to support housing costs'
Please clarify that this is the DWP policy?
DLA is awarded for care and mobility costs.
NOT for housing costs??
Nowhere on a DLA award, does it state that a percentage of DLA is for housing costs??
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) provides a contribution towards the extra costs faced by
severely disabled people as a result of their disabilities. Broadly, entitlement to DLA is based
on walking difficulties and/or the need for personal care which results from severe disability.
The individual’s medical condition is not necessarily the key factor. Rather it is the disablement
that results from it and the effects of that disablement. DLA is not intended to meet the specific
costs associated with disability; it is for the individual to decide how to spend the money in a
way that best fits their circumstances. They could, for instance, save the money and use it for
adaptations to their home.
If you have any queries about this letter please contact me quoting the reference number
above.
Yours sincerely,
DWP Strategy FoI Team
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