§ Mrs. Jane KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about measures being taken to review cases handled at the disability living allowance unit in Blackpool.
§ Mr. HagueThe administration of disability living allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief
84Wwhat was the average rent of each of these properties; and what was the average rent allowance being paid for each of them.
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe available information is set out in the table.
executive of the Benefits Agency. He will reply to the hon. Member.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mrs. Jane Kennedy, dated 20 January 1995:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about measures being taken to review cases handled at the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Unit in Blackpool.The Benefits Agency is committed to improving customer service by working towards the introduction of a One Stop service. Following the introduction of DLA in April 1992 the Agency has looked carefully at the options available in processing DLA claims and reviews.Currently new claims are the responsibility of Disability Benefits Centres (DBC) before the centralised unit in Blackpool takes over the case. Our research has shown that the three month period following the initial decision is the period of high activity and this also represents the prescribed time limit for applications for a review on any grounds.A pilot exercise is currently being carried out at Newcastle DBC where the file is retained at the DBC and almost all of the activity, including reviews, that arises in the three month period following the decision on a new claim is dealt with; some work done by specialist 85W sections, such as Motability agreements, is retained at the DLA Unit in Blackpool.If the pilot at Newcastle successfully demonstrates efficiency and an improved customer service, consideration will be given to extending the practice to other DBCs.I hope you find this reply helpful.