§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will ensure that social security officials have a duty to advise claimants on the relative merits of claiming supplementary benefit or housing benefits such as rent rebates;
(2) how he intends to ensure that social security claimants are aware of the relative merits of claiming supplementary benefit or housing benefits such as rent rebates and that they have full information about claiming lump sums for special needs.
§ Mrs. ChalkerVariations in local arrangements make the issue of standard guidance on the relative merits of claiming supplementary benefits or housing benefits impractical. Where a claimant seeks advice on this choice, the duties of staff in social security offices include the provision of advice on the various factors which might have a bearing on the claimant's decision.
On the question of information about lump sum payments, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Anglesey (Mr. Best) on 5 December.