To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security why ME is not listed in the disability living allowance handbook under the chapter heading certain neurological illnesses.
Although the Department recognises ME as a distinct clinical entity, it is also aware that the disabling effects of ME and chronic fatigue syndromes may be very similar. Entitlement to benefit is based on how a person's disability affects their daily life, in respect of care and mobility needs rather than the diagnosis, illness or disease giving rise to such needs.
However the classification of benign myalgic encephalomyelitis—post-viral fatigue syndrome—under "Diseases of Nervous System" in the international classification of diseases will be taken into account in subsequent revisions of the disability handbook.