Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 57
Reform the DFG means test to introduce gradual tapering of personal contributions for working disabled people.
Recommendation
Whilst we recognise the need for the DFG means test to be a well-evidenced process, the current DFG means test is unnecessarily complex and leads many applicants to drop out of the DFG process entirely. We are also concerned that the means test’s passporting provisions can result in unfair ‘cliff-edges’ for applicants when they move into work. The Government should reform the means test to ensure it does not disproportionately penalise working disabled people, by introducing more gradual tapering of personal contributions for disabled people when they move into work.
Government Response Summary
The government notes the recommendations, highlights local authorities' existing flexibility to address the issue, and states it will continue to keep different aspects of the DFG means test under consideration.
Paragraph Reference:
57
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
31. Local authorities have a significant degree of flexibility in how they deliver home adaptations funding, including in relation to the means test. For example, they can publish a housing assistance policy to increase the upper limit of the grant or remove means testing for grants costing under a certain amount. Some local authorities could therefore decide to take a specific approach to ensure a working age disabled person is not disproportionately penalised if they feel this might be occurring. 32. We note the Committee’s recommendations. To ensure the DFG is as effective as possible, we will continue to keep different aspects of the grant under consideration, including the means test.