Have Your Say on Disability Benefits

People with disabilities are urged to have their say in shaping the future of the benefits system by responding to the Health and Disability Green Paper consultation.

This 12-week online survey closes in two months and Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson has issued a “rallying call” to the public to help inform changes that will improve lives.

The Health and Disability Green Paper consultation includes changes, which could, according to the Government:

• Enable independent living and test the role of advocacy so people who need extra help to navigate the benefits system get the right level of support and information first time.
• Review how assessments are carried out including exploring the potential for longer-term use of telephone and video assessments and looking at how reassessments work, including testing a new Severe Disability Group (SDG) for people with conditions that will not improve. This could see those who meet the criteria experiencing a more simplified application process, without the need for an assessment to receive financial support.
• Improve support for disabled people to help them start, stay and succeed in work through the Work and Health Programme, Access to Work.

The online survey is running alongside a series of consultation events with disabled people and those with health conditions and their representatives. This includes virtual and face-to-face events covering England, Scotland and Wales.

Following the consultation, detailed proposals will be brought forward in a White Paper next year, setting out how people can be enabled to take up work and live more independently, and outline the changes Government want to make to the benefits system.

The survey, accessed by clicking here will close on October 11, 2021.