Asked by: Lord Low of Dalston (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they intend to offer disabled people and their families as the restrictions in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic are eased.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
The Government is committed to supporting disabled people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work has had discussions with charities, disabled people's organisations and individuals to understand the range of experiences disabled people have had during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify the support needed as lockdown restrictions are eased.
The Government is ensuring that disabled people continue to have access to accessible communications, updated guidance, including workplace and transport related guidance, as well as access to food, medicines and essential supplies, disability benefits and other financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unpaid carers in financial need are able to access the full range of Social Security benefits, which include Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Carer’s Allowance.
The Government continues to support disabled employees to access assistive technology and other forms of support they need to retain, adapt and move into employment through the Access to Work scheme. All equality and discrimination laws and obligations continue to apply during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Cabinet Office Disability Unit continues to work with disability stakeholders and across Government Departments to ensure that the needs of disabled people are considered in the UK Government’s response to COVID-19.