Evaluation of Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance

Major changes were made to disability benefits in 1992. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) was introduced, making new lower rates of benefit available to people with less severe care and mobility needs. Attendance Allowance (AA) remained for people who became disabled in later life, but substantial changes were being made to the claim process. This report presents the findings of research carried out by the Social Policy Research Unit at York University to evaluate the changes. The research asks whether the new lower rates of DLA are extending help to less severely disabled people, and evaluates the quality of service provided to people who claim the benefits, ask for a review of the claim, or appeal against the decision.