Hello Chris and GP-UK,
On Friday, March 27, 2009, at 8:01:33 PM, Chris wrote:
> 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
Apologies! Try:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/cl9d7g
Keep forgetting I have Sneakemail configured to 'hide' certain
strings.
> 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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