The Welsh Government will step in to support more than 1,600 severely disabled people in Wales who currently rely on a UK Government fund for their care needs when it closes next year, Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford announced on Monday 06 October 2014.
The UK Government will close the Independent Living Fund (ILF) on June 30, 2015.
The fund makes direct cash payments to disabled people who have significant care needs. It helps them to meet the cost of the care and support they need or to employ their own personal assistant.
Payments can be used for a range of support, including:
• assistance with eating and drinking;
• cooking and preparing food and drink;
• assistance with dressing;
• cleaning, laundry and other domestic duties.
The consultation – Future Arrangements of Independent Living Fund is seeking views on what future arrangement there should be to support those who receive payments from the Independent Living Fund (ILF) after it closes on 30 June 2015.
Start of consultation: 03 October 2014
End of consultation: 23 December 2014
As of July this year there were 1,686 ILF recipients in Wales, who overall received, on average just over £335 a week to meet their needs.
The Welsh Government is consulting on a range of options for providing the ILF support after June 2015. These range from passing responsibility and funding to local authorities to establishing a Welsh fund similar to the current Independent Living Fund.
How to respond:
Please submit your comments by 23 December 2014, in any of the following ways:
- Post: Steve Gulliford
Delivering Policy for Children and Adults Division
Social Services and Integration Directorate
Welsh Government
Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ
Additional information: 029 2082 3478
