Residents protest over disability payment changes

Residents gathered outside Maidstone's County Hall before a KCC meeting

Residents opposed to changes to disability payments in Kent have held a protest ahead of a key council meeting.

Kent County Council (KCC) has been criticised for altering the way benefits are calculated. Those affected were urged to attend a full council meeting on Thursday.

The council now takes into account other benefits people receive when it means tests residents.

Dan Watkins, the KCC cabinet member for adult social care, said the decision was "not taken lightly" and the council had included a £900,000 contingency in its budget to mitigate some of the scheme's impact.

The changes came into force on 2 September as the council looked to shave £4m off its annual budget.

A cross-party motion is calling for a delay in the implementation of the changes until the government details its multi-year council budget settlement.

The new scheme considers the enhanced rate for night-time attendance allowance, the care component of the disability living allowance and the daily living part of the personal independence payment.

Kent County Council held a meeting into disability payment changes on Thursday

KCC says 276 young people and 2,717 adults have been financially impacted by the new policy, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Matfield resident Bernadette John, whose son is disabled, believed she would lose £35 or 15% of his income and feared vulnerable people could "come to harm" as a result of the change.

Thanet's Ian Driver said his 22-year-old disabled daughter faced a bill of £40 a week if she wanted to access day care services.

“This will effectively imprison her. She won’t be able to socialise or meet anyone – it’s downright unfair," he said.

Jason Tipple, from Margate, who cares for his two disabled children with his wife, Rachel, said the potential financial impact on his family was “absolutely terrifying” as he thought they could miss out on £300 a month.

Jason Tipple (left) said the potential financial impact on his family was “absolutely terrifying”

Liberal Democrat councillor Richard Streatfeild, co-author of the motion lodged by him and Labour councillor Jackie Meade, says the legality and morality of the changes have to be examined.

“These are the most vulnerable people in society and chasing the most vulnerable, as a council, leaves you in a difficult position politically, ethically, morally and reputationally," he said.

Cllr Watkins said "tough decisions" had to be made as the council was faced with increasing demands for complex care, rising costs of care and a lack of funding.

He said the changes would help reduce a £54.1m funding gap for adult social care services that the council faced.