There are “no plans” to restrict a vital disability benefit to only the poorest Brits, the DWP has finally confirmed.
Minister for Disabled People Tom Pursglove attempted to close down speculation over Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which is claimed by 3million Brits.
Currently the benefit pays up to £156.90 a week to any claimant, rich or poor, who can show they need help with the costs of being disabled.
But Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride sparked alarm two weeks ago by refusing to rule out means-testing the benefit in a Commons clash earlier.
He also did not rule out means-testing carers’ allowance, attendance allowance, or disability living allowance for children.
That had sparked alarm from campaigners, despite government sources insisting to the Mirror that means-testing was unlikely.
Welfare campaigners had already been concerned after the DWP said last year it “could look to create a new single benefit” for disabled people.
This has raised some fears as PIP and DLA are paid regardless of wealth, while ESA and UC depend partly on your income.
The DWP was asked by Labour MP Marsha De Cordova if it planned to means-test Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.
Minister Mr Pursglove replied: “We have no plans to means test Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
“Both DLA and PIP are intended to act as a contribution towards the extra costs that arise as a result of a long-term health condition, or disability.
“And [they] have been non-means tested since they were introduced.”
Mr Pursglove’s answer does not entirely rule out means-testing the benefits in future, but government sources have suggested there are no plans to do so in the Autumn Statement.
Ms De Cordova told the Mirror: "It is right that the government have now stated that Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will not be means tested.
"13 years of a hostile environment against disabled people by successive Conservative governments have had a devastating impact as a result of cuts to the NHS, social care, and social security.
"Disabled people face additional costs of around £600 a month.
"In the upcoming Autumn statement, the government must uprate social security in line with inflation, restore the warm homes discount for 300,000 disabled people and provide more targeted support for those with high energy costs."
