Variations in the Administration of Disability Living Allowance

Disability living allowance (DLA), which aims to help meet some of the extra costs that disabled people have, raises questions of equity. One such question is whether DLA helps disabled people maintain similar living standards to those of non‐disabled people. A separate question, and the focus of this paper, is whether claimants in similar circumstances or with similar needs are treated equitably. Drawing on a large‐scale survey, the findings indicate that claimants with similar needs according to the rules on entitlement were, for the most part, treated alike. The adjudication of new criteria on periodic needs for personal care or for help preparing a cooked meal appears to be less consistent. Whether claimants with similar needs in respect of these criteria received an award depended in part on where their claim was administered. The use of medical evidence to determine claims and the treatment of those deemed to be non‐claimants also varied considerably. Efforts to improve consistency in decision‐making have now been introduced. Recent developments in information technology also offer the prospect of greater consistency and cost savings. Even if the allowance were administered consistently, however, disabled people with similar extra costs would not necessarily be treated equitably. It is argued that cash benefits for disabled people should be developed within a comprehensive system of local services and support to secure their social integration and personal autonomy. In the meantime, claimants and their advisers need to be prepared to follow up claims and challenge inappropriate decisions.