Greater than 100 teenagers in Midlothian stripped of disability advantages after 16th birthday

A view of signage for the Department of Work & Pensions in Westminster, London. Photo: PA

A third of young people who were eligible for disabled housing benefit in their childhood were not eligible for the adult version of the benefit, the personal independence benefit.

A spokesman for Disability Rights UK said sudden loss of performance could be traumatic for disabled young people and their families, and the support needed in childhood did not go away by the age of 16.

An estimated 197 young applicants in the region – 55 percent – saw their performance awards increased or stayed the same after moving to PIP, but 119 withdrew their awards, according to the Department of Labor and Pensions.

Of the cases that were not admitted between October 2013 and October last year, 83 applicants were rejected after failing to score enough during the assessment part of the process to match their mobility and care needs.

There were also five youths who were rejected for not taking the exams for no reason and 31 who did not meet the basic eligibility criteria.

Another 45 applicants have been admitted to PIP, but their award rate has been reduced.

If the number of results is zero or very low, numbers have been excluded so the totals could be higher.

A spokesman for the Department of Labor and Pensions said over 60 percent of DLA applicants continue to receive PIP, with premium rates staying the same or rising for more than half of applicants.

He said the government is working hard to support disabled young adults, adding, “PIP is designed to assess how people are affected by their disability, not just the disability itself. Many DLA applicants have not received an assessment for several years subjected to their needs, and as a result, their condition or needs may have changed significantly because of their condition. “

DLA and PIP are awarded to help meet the additional costs associated with long-term health conditions and disabilities. Applicants are currently eligible for tax free up to £ 152 per week

Ken Butler of Disability Rights UK said sudden withdrawal of benefit support at a young age could be traumatic and affect household finances and the ability to stay in education.

He said, “If a young person qualifies for DLA as a teenager, it is difficult to see why they don’t have the same needs by the age of 16.

“The level of support and the additional financial costs don’t go away overnight when a disabled young person turns 16.”