§ Ms JowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans he has to simplify the procedure by which young people can claim severe hardship payments;
(2) if he will instruct the Benefits Agency to improve the availability of information relating to young people's benefit entitlement and ensure that it is placed in locations which young people use, including schools, colleges and youth clubs;
(3) if he will instruct the Benefits Agency to ensure that (a) all staff are aware of young people's entitlement to claim for severe hardship payments and (b) young people are informed of this entitlement when they ask about benefits;
(4) what plans he has to ensure that compulsory training for Benefits Agency staff is enforced.
§ Mr. Roger EvansThis is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 9 March 1995:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the availability of information and procedures for young people who wish to claim benefits.Every Benefit Agency (BA) District Office is required to have a nominated benefit manager with responsibility for service delivery to 16–17 year olds. All local office staff have been made aware of young people's right to claim severe hardship payments and staff dealing with claims from 16–17 year olds will have completed specialist training. In addition, staff holding a Certificate of Authority from the Secretary of State to make severe hardship directions to pay Income Support, will have undertaken further specialist training in the handling of claims from young people.A handbook "Income Support for 16–17 year olds", a copy of which is in the Library, is available in all offices. This details the procedures to be followed and contains a section on best practices. One of the recommendations is that offices set up local liaison groups with other Agencies and outside bodies with an interest in the welfare of 16–17 year olds. Many of these groups exist and work well to resolve local difficulties.Consideration is being given to simplifying the process for claiming payments under the severe hardship provision from April 1996 through the delivery of the new benefit Job Seekers Allowance.The BA is always looking at ways of improving its targeting of information. We are currently reviewing how the BA targets its main customer groups and the distribution of information to them.Currently there are two leaflets specifically for young people. These are FB23 "Young people's guide to Social Security" and IS26 "Income Support if you are 16 or 17". I have enclosed copies of the leaflets, which are also in the Library.I hope you find this reply helpful.