Disability groups voiced concern about the launch of a new benefit which the Government insists is not aimed at saving money.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA), which was introduced more than 20 years ago, is being replaced by a Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
The new benefit will be phased in, starting in Bootle, covering a few thousand claims a month and extending to other parts of the country from June.
Disabled People Minister Esther McVey said the Government would be spending broadly the same amount on boosting the income of disabled people at the end of this parliament about £13 billion.
She said the reforms would slow the expansion in the benefit to new claimants and make sure it goes to those who need it most, adding: “Disability Living Allowance is an outdated benefit introduced over 20 years ago and needs reform to better reflect today’s understanding of disability.
“At the moment the vast majority of claimants get the benefit for life without any systematic reassessments and around 50% of decisions are made on the basis of the claim form alone, without any additional corroborating medical evidence.
“The Personal Independence Payment will include a new face-to-face assessment and regular reviews something missing in the current system. This will ensure that the billions we spend give more targeted support to those who need it most.”
Disability Rights UK said it was concerned that the new benefit, alongside other changes such as the bedroom tax, council tax and the reduction in social care support from local authorities, will have a “major impact” on disabled people’s quality of life and independent living.
Chief executive Liz Sayce said: “We are very concerned about the impact of PIP, which could see thousands of disabled people become institutionalised in their own homes.
“For example, the Department for Work and Pensions expects that 428,000 disabled people who currently get the higher rate mobility component will lose it altogether or receive the lower amount. This means that many will lose their car under the Motability car scheme so they will no longer be able to get to work or get out and about.
“If the purpose of PIP is to contribute to the extra costs of disability so that disabled people can maintain their independence, we doubt whether this will be achieved.
“Under DLA, disabled people who are unable to cook a main meal for themselves and those disabled people who need continual support or supervision to ensure they are not in substantial danger will be made an award. This is not the case under PIP.”
Mark Lever, chief executive of the National Autistic Society, said: “We have serious concerns about the face-to-face assessments people with autism will have to undergo in order to claim PIP. The less visible difficulties of this complex disability can be hard to understand for assessors who are not specialists.”
Legal action is being taken against the Government on behalf of three disabled people who are challenging qualification for mobility benefit.
At the moment the three receive DLA, including the higher rate of the mobility component a non-means-tested cash benefit giving help towards the cost of adapting a vehicle.
Lawyers said that under PIP, more than 400,000 fewer people will be eligible for the mobility payment.
Law firms Leigh Day and Public Law Solicitors are taking legal action, claiming that the Government’s consultation was unlawful.