Government plans to remove DLA and PIP from disabled people who travel abroad for more than four weeks

20 June 2012

Campaign calls for equal rights for disabled young people and children to go abroad

The Every Disabled Child Matters (EDCM) Campaign and its supporters are today writing to the Government to object to proposed changes to 'temporary absence abroad' rules to Disability Living Allowance (DLA). The proposals will mean that if a disabled child or young person leaves the country for more than 4 weeks they will have their DLA or PIP stopped. They will then have to have a full reassessment when they come back in the country. The current rules allow up to 26 weeks out of the country. These new rules, set out in a consultation, will also apply to the new benefit, Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

Srabani Sen, EDCM board member says: "The proposed reduction in temporary absences abroad will significantly reduce equal opportunities for disabled children, young people and their families. The longer periods of time that children and students have off over the summer means that these proposals are not fit for purpose. We urge the Government to retain the current 26 weeks rule for temporary absences abroad to ensure that disabled children and young people have equal rights."

Some of the children, young people and families most likely to be affected are:

Families during summer holidays
Many families with disabled children rely on support of relatives abroad throughout the long summer holidays with relatives abroad. Additionally families will be restricted in the length of their holidays, many families with disabled children take longer holidays to allow their disabled child recovery time from the journey.

Students taking up opportunities at university
The loss of financial support may result in disabled young people not taking part in modern language university courses that require a period of study abroad or other international exchange opportunities. This will prevent many disabled young people from having equal opportunities to their non-disabled peers.

Students using their summers to work abroad or to travel
During the long school, college and university holidays, many students chose to undertake work experience abroad, for example through programmes such as Camp America. Additionally many students also chose to spend this time to travel around the world. The loss of PIP will prevent many disabled young people from taking up these opportunities - reducing their life experience, equal opportunities and work experience.

Take Action!! Join EDCM in calling on the Government to ensure equal rights for disabled young people and children to go abroad