§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many benefits are available from his Department; how many application forms and guidance notes are available; and how much of this material is available in Asian languages.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThere are 28 social security benefits available from the Department; and 26 major claim forms and supporting guidance notes. All application forms and guidance notes are in English only. Any member of the public who has difficulty in understanding the forms can seek help in making a claim from his local social security office.
By the end of this year it is hoped to publish a new translation of leaflet, FB22, entitled "Which Benefit", which gives details of all available social security benefits, in five main Asian languages, as well as Chinese and Turkish.