Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the potential effect of setting the cut-off point for claiming personal independence payment and its mobility part at 65 years on the economic contribution of people who become disabled after their 65th birthday and need or wish to travel to work; and if she will make a statement.

The aim of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is to focus additional help with the extra costs of disability on people who become severely disabled earlier in life and who, as a consequence, face limited opportunities to work, earn and save compared with other people. Once PIP has been awarded, and subject to the conditions of entitlement continuing to be met, it can continue in payment after age 65. The upper age limit for PIP is currently aligned with State Pension age and will be rising in line with increases to it beginning from later this year.

For people who become disabled after reaching pension age, Attendance Allowance (AA) can provide help with the extra costs of disability and helps them maintain their independence. AA is a tax-free, non-contributory benefit which can be used flexibly to help meet extra needs and is currently worth up to £85.60 a week.

People who become disabled after their 65^th birthday can apply for Access to Work and they will continue to be eligibility for support as long as they remain in employment.