To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in each of the last five years were (a) eligible for and (b) in receipt of direct payments, broken down by client group. [130873]
The number of people eligible for direct payments is not available. Prior to April 2003 whether individuals were offered direct payments was a choice for each council so eligibility differed between areas. Since April 2003, it has been made a "duty" for each council to offer a direct payment, but eligibility will depend on a number of factors, including the person's ability to manage a direct payment. The number of people in receipt of direct payments between the years 1997–2000 is also not available. However, the number of adults aged 18 or over and in receipt of direct payments for the years 2000–01 and 2001–02, broken down by client group, is available and shown in the table.
Number of clients receiving direct payments (England)
| ||
Rounded figures
| ||
Primary client type
| 2000–01
| 2001–02
|
| All client groups | 5,000 | 6,300 |
| Physical and sensory disability/frailty of which: | 3,600 | 5,300 |
| physical disability | 2,800 | 3,600 |
| hearing | 1— | |
| visual | 100 | 100 |
| dual | ||
| frailty | 300 | 400 |
| Learning disability | 200 | 500 |
| Mental health | 100 | 200 |
of which:
| ||
| dementia | 1— | 1— |
| Substance abuse | 1— | 60 |
| Other vulnerable people | 1,000 | 200 |
of which:
| ||
| asylum seekers | 900 | 60 |
| welfare benefits | 0 | 0 |
1 Figures less than 50.
Note:
2000–01 figures are based on 133 P2f forms.
2001–02 figures are based on 140 P2F forms.