HC Deb 24 June 1977 vol 933 cc622-3W
Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list all the circumstances in which his Department allow unemployed persons, who are not confined to their homes by illness, to register as unemployed by post.

Mr. Orme

A person may claim unemployment benefit by post (a) in the case of his first claim in any spell of unemployment, if he lives more than 10 miles by road from the nearest unemployment benefit office; (b) in the case of subsequent claims in the spell, if he lives six miles or more by road from the office; (c) where personal attendance at the office would cause him real hardship because of disability, infirmity or inadequacy of public transport; (d) where personal attendance would be exceptionally difficult for him because of adverse weather conditions; or (e) in emergencies which close the unemployment benefit office.