§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the refusal rate for(a) community care grants and (b) social fund loans at the Wakefield Benefits Agency office in the 1991–92 financial year and from April 1992 to the current date.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefit Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 11 January 1993:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about refusal rates for grants and loans at the Wakefield Benefits Agency Office.Details of refusal rates for each Benefit Agency District, for the 1991–92 financial year, are in the Library. The number of applications received and refused by each District for the period 1 April 1992 to 30 September 1992 is also in the Library. The refusal rate in Wakefield District for loans and grants for the months of October and November 1992 (the 703W latest data available) is 34.5 per cent. and 78.6 per cent. respectively. I should emphasise that the vast majority of community care grant refusals are because the application fails to meet the basic criteria.I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy is also being placed in the Library.