§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will reassess the appropriateness of the interval between qualification for cold weather payments and receipt of the money. [8416]
§ Mr. HealdThe administration of the social fund is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 19 January 1996:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he will reassess the appropriateness of the interval between qualification for Cold Weather Payments (CWPs) and receipt of the money.The Metrological office supply the Agency with temperature data on the basis of forecast and recorded periods of Cold Weather. A forecast period is seven consecutive days during which the mean 106W daily temperature is forecast to be equal to or below zero degree centigrade. A recorded period is seven connective days during which the mean daily temperature was recorded as equal to or below zero degree centigrade.Once a Cold Weather period has been identified a scan of the Income Support computer is run to establish those who are eligible for a Cold Weather Payment (CWP). If a period of Cold Weather is identified ending on a Thursday, a scan is run that weekend. A Cold Weather period identified ending on a Friday will be included in a scan the following weekend. The scans can only be run at a weekend when District offices are closed and the computer system is not needed. Payment is sent out automatically the following week.This method ensures that payment is made timeously and without the customer having to make a claim. Where payment is made on a forecast period of Cold Weather potential qualifiers can be established more quickly than waiting for a period of Cold Weather to be confirmed.I hope you find this reply helpful.
§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people claimed extra heating allowance in the areas covered by the Peterlee and Seaham area benefit offices during the recent cold weather; and on which dates they qualified. [9511]
§ Mr. HealdThe administration of the social fund is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. John Cummings dated 19 January 1996:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people claimed the extra heating allowance in the areas covered by the Peterlee and Seaham area benefit offices during the recent Cold Weather; and on which dates they qualified.Cold Weather Payments, are paid automatically when the average daily temperature in an area, as reported by the weather station covering that area, has been or is forecast to be Zero Degree Centigrade or below for seven days. A customer is entitled to a Cold Weather Payment, if for at least one day in the Cold Weather period, they receive Income Support which includes an amount for a dependant under five, or one of the following premiums; Higher Pensioner, Enhanced Pensioner, Disability, Severe Disability and Disabled Child.The benefit offices of Seaham and Peterlee are part of the North Durham District. Geographical areas are linked to weather stations by post code. Postal codes covered by the North Durham District are linked to the weather stations at Leeming and Tynemouth.The information you requested is provided at Annex A.I hope my reply is helpful.
Annex A Weather station Qualifying period Leeming 23 December 1995 to 2 January 1996 inclusive Tynemouth 22 December 1995 to 3 January 1996 inclusive
Benefit office Number of payments Peterlee 6,678 Seaham 1,985