Written question asked by Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 8 March 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 March 2011. It was answered by Maria Miller (Conservative) on Thursday, 17 March 2011 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Disability Living Allowance: Autism

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will bring forward proposals to amend the provisions of the Welfare Reform Bill which require people diagnosed with autism and in receipt of disability living allowance to undergo a face-to-face interview.

Answer: We are considering the most appropriate delivery model for the personal independence payment assessment and no decisions have yet been taken on the detail of its operation, including how it will apply to existing DLA recipients. We believe that advice from a suitably trained and approved individual, for example a health care professional, will be an important part of ensuring that the assessment is more objective and consistent. In most cases, we expect this to involve a face-to-face consultation to enable an in-depth look at an individual's circumstances. Both I and departmental officials have met with the National Autistic Society to discuss our reform proposals and to seek their views on how the new benefit can best support those with autism. We agree with many of the points raised in the National Autistic Society's recent report on DLA reform, 'Who benefits?', and we are looking closely at how these recommendations can be incorporated into its design. To ensure that we get this reform right, we are keen to continue to work with disabled people and their organisations as the detail of the assessment criteria and its operation is developed and tested.

Secondary information