MOBILISE!
End age discrimination in disability benefits - Appeal for Case Studies

A coalition of charities has come together to campaign against age discrimination in the provision of disability benefit. Arbitrary age barriers on Disability Living Allowance mean older disabled people cannot claim the help with mobility and care costs that younger disabled people can. For the campaign to be a success we urgently need case studies of people affected by the rules or who gain from DLA.

What type of case studies do we need?

The Problem: The effects of being denied DLA

We need people who have mobility or care needs that would entitle them to DLA, but who are denied it simply because of their age. We need to show genuine hardship is being caused by the age barrier.

The Comparison: The positive benefits of DLA

We also need people who are receiving the mobility component or lower rate care component, either because they are aged under 65 or have retained the benefit since they were younger. We need to show the benefits of DLA, so we can see the effect of discrimination.

The Injustice: Arbitrary age barrier

Examples of people just over or just under the age barrier will help us highlight how arbitrary this limit is. If we can find 2 people who have similar disabilities – one who can get DLA, the other who can’t – this will make the injustices even clearer.

What information do we need?

Basic details of the person’s age, impairment and situation. What is/would be their entitlement to AA/DLA? For those who cannot get DLA, what is the effect on their lives? What do they have to go without? What would they spend their DLA on? For those who are receiving DLA, what is the positive effect on their lives? What do they spend their money on? What would they cut if they had to live without DLA? Who are they willing to talk to? Obviously we would most like people who would be willing to speak to the press – but anonymous case studies are still useful. Are they willing for Help the Aged to have their details?

Who to contact?

Pat Orr, Press Officer at Help the Aged, will be keeping central details of case studies for the campaign. Email Pat at pat.orr@helptheaged.org.uk or call her on 07889 140139. Many thanks for your help.