United Kingdom – The Independent Living Fund, a government assistance program that supports people with disabilities is set to close on June 30th 2015. Mrs. Justice Andrews delivered the ruling and sympathized with recipients who may find this hard to deal with.
The government contends this closing is due to changes in social care that question the need for the ILF, and due to government reasoning that those in need can get help through the adult social care system. Charities such as the Scope, however, contend that closing this found will hinder the disabled and leave many without enough support.
Scope chief executive Richard Hawkes told BBC news. He added that the large loss of financial support will also make it harder for people with disabilities to live independently.
“Funding will be transferred to councils, but there will be no guarantee that the money will be used to support disabled people to live independently, or that former ILF users will receive the same levels of support, given the pressures on local authority finances.”
David Wolfe QC, a representative for two people with disabilities, argued in an October hearing at High Court that taking away the monthly payments would make it hard for the people he represents to pay for their aids and to live independently in their homes instead of residential care.
The decision to close the ILF is currently being challenged.
Source: BBC News website: Independent Living Fund closure ruled lawful
Contributed by Audrey L. Hollingshead