Hello Adrian and GP-UK,
On Friday, March 27, 2009, at 9:51:41 AM, Adrian wrote:
> 2009/3/25 Stephen Meech <[log in to unmask]>
>> Ditto.
>>
>> They're not issued by the DWP (for which the regulations have particular
>> provisons) so there is probably an entitlement to a fee.
>>
>> The other issue is that the definition of severe mental impairment is
>> pretty vague.
>>
> It is defined... vaguely.
If it helps I have extracted a few relevant paragraphs from the
current edition of the Disability Rights Handbook into a PDF and
uploaded it to my web site.
http://www........................./downloads/smi.pdf
The first extract concerns exemption from council tax benefit and
doesn't really define "severe mental impairment". It is just one of
three conditions for exemption the other two being medical certificate
to that effect and being entitled to one other benefit such as
incapacity benefit. Baring in mind that council tax is administered by
local authorities I assume the latter forms the only indirect
involvement of the DWP.
The second extract concerns the Mobility component of Disability
Living Allowance *but* offers a more detailed definition of severe
mental impairment including the following:
An IQ of 55 or less is generally taken to be ‘severe impairment of
intelligence’. But an IQ test is not the only measure of impaired
intelligence. Some people, such as those with autism, may do well in
abstract intelligence tests but cannot apply their intelligence in a
useful way in the real world. For them, an IQ test can give a
misleading impression of useful intelligence. Therefore, if IQ is
above 55 or there is no IQ test, the decision maker must consider
other evidence, including evidence of impairment of social functioning
if that has an effect on useful intelligence. For example, having no
sense of danger may indicate a severe impairment of intelligence
(CDLA/3215/2001).
End Quote
Regards to All,
Chris
--
Chris Salter mailto:[log in to unmask]
Lincolnshire Post-Polio Network http://www.lincolnshirepostpolio.org.uk/
Polio and Post-Polio News http://mt.lincolnshirepostpolio.org.uk/pandppnews/
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