Real people... real threat... real fears

Among the many letters we receive about the plan to reform Disability Living Allowance are many expressing concern over the possible impact on Motability arrangements. Helen Dolphin raises some concerns

In 30 November 2010 it was announced in the Emergency Budget that the Government would reform Disability Living Allowance (DLA). This was swiftly followed in December by a consultation document on the reform of DLA which sought views on the Government's proposals to replace working age DLA with a new benefit – Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Many disabled people and their representative organisations replied to this consultation citing the importance of this benefit for maintaining the independence of disabled people. However, despite the volume of concerns that were raised the Government still maintains its commitment to the introduction of PIP for working age claimants in 2013 to replace DLA. They also confirm that estimated spending on working age DLA will be cut by 20 per cent in 2015/16.

Working for the charity Disabled Motoring I hear daily from people who are extremely worried by what the loss of this benefit would mean to them, especially their mobility.

Joan Ward wrote to me saying "I am 76 and in June 1995 I was awarded DLA 'for life'. I have had a Motability car for years and without my car I would become almost housebound, my car is my legs. I cannot believe that such a proposal will succeed."

Kate Gordon also wrote saying: "I really don't know where to start with these appalling proposals.  DLA has been a tremendous help for me – able to visit relatives, socialise, go to college, pay for driving lessons and a car (at a time when I could not otherwise have afforded these).  DLA has been my passport into paid employment."

I also recently received a letter from another lady who cites the consequences of losing this vitally important benefit. Dawn Smith wrote: "I have had my DLA disallowed since May this year. It means I no longer have a car that is easily accessible for me, and getting in and out of my partner's car causes me severe pain and discomfort. I can no longer go to work as my car was the only way I could get to work; I cannot go anywhere during the day or evening now and have ended up housebound at 51 years of age."

With the Government saying they want to cut the spending on this benefit by 20 per cent it does leave me wondering how many more people are going to find themselves in the same position as Dawn. There is of course public transport which is certainly improving for disabled people but in many cases it still doesn't meet the door-to-door requirements that many disabled people have. It also relies on most of us living in a town or city as most rural areas do not have adequate public transport networks. If removal of this benefit means disabled people losing their jobs, having less access to education and no hope of a social life I really can't see what it's going to achieve.

Over half a million people who currently receive DLA exchange the benefit for a Motability car. Motability offers a new car every three years and for some of us it also comes with sophisticated driving adaptations to allow us to drive. Without DLA disabled people cannot qualify for the scheme and so either have to buy their own vehicle or lose their independence.

The national press seems a little obsessed at the moment with stories of "benefit cheats" and "scroungers" and I'm sure there are people receiving DLA who perhaps shouldn't be. I can't help but remember the breakdancing grandad on Britain's Got Talent who drove about in his Motability car. However, for most of us we're genuine disabled people who rely on our DLA for independence and mobility and I, like many others, am worried what the future could hold without this vitally important benefit.