Press Release
19th June 2000
McNeil Welcomes More Direct Help for Disabled
Direct payments, which promote independence among people with disabilities by allowing them to receive cash instead of services, are to be extended to those aged 65 and over. The move will quadruple the number of people who are eligible to receive direct payments.
At present, people with disabilities between the age of 18 and 64 can apply for direct payments. The scheme will be extended to give more people the opportunity to arrange and buy their own services, such as home care, personal assistants and other support services.
Welcoming the extension, MSP for Greenock & Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil said:
"Direct payments give people control, choice and flexibility over the decisions which affect their lives. In short, they give people the opportunity to lead an independent, normal life.
"It is right that those aged 65 and over should receive direct payments. They are the main users of community care services, after all."
ENDS
Notes:
1. In 1997 local authorities were given the power to make cash payments for community care services direct to certain individuals instead of providing the service itself. People cannot be forced to accept them if they would prefer the authority to arrange the service.
2. At present, regulations allow people with disabilities aged 18 to 64 to access direct payments. New regulations laid on 15th June will extend payments to people aged 65 and over. The regulations will come into force on 7 July.
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