Call to protect South Thanet and Sandwich pensioners from Brown’s plans to scrap benefits
3820 people could lose their disability benefits
Gordon Brown has new plans to scrap disability benefits for the elderly in Thanet and Sandwich. The small print of Labour’s plans to create a National Care Service reveals that it will be paid for by getting rid of Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance for pensioners.
“I have already had several letters and emails from pensioners who are very concerned that their AA and DLA will disappear which is equivalent to a cut of 25% in the average pensioner’s income. With 2730 pensioners receiveing Attendance Allowance worth £60 per week; and 1,090 who receive Disability Living Allowance worth £75 per week this would be a huge blow to so many who are struggling to get by at the moment,” said Laura.
"Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance are based on need; they are not means tested and are intended to cover the extra costs arising from the impact the disability has on the life of the disabled person. The key feature of these benefits is that they can be spent by disabled people how they wish, without restrictions, to best support their individual care needs.
“Gordon Brown has chosen to penalise one of the most vulnerable groups in our society for the sake of another of his eye-catching announcements. As with every Labour initiative, someone has to pay and, as with many of them, it is once again those who are least able to afford it who are hit by Brown.
“These benefits provide vital support for disabled pensioners, giving them the chance to lead an independent life with the freedom to tailor their care to their needs.
“Of course, we need to do more to help people with their care costs, but it is completely wrong to do so at the expense of disabled pensioners. Conservatives will protect our local pensioners and fight against Gordon Brown’s plan to scrap benefits for the disabled.”
If you are receiving Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance and are worried about losing this support please email me at laura@sandys.org.uk
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