Benefits Agency (Hansard, 24 February 1997)

§ Mr. Roger Evans

This 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. David Nicholson, dated 20 February 1996:

The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he will make a statement on his policy towards Benefits Agency (BA) officials (a) visiting demonstrations on road works sites for benefit purposes and (b) denying benefit payments to persons believed to be, or known to be, occupying land in the area of road construction; how this policy has changed in the past two years; what new guidance he has issued since 1st January 1996; and if he will make a statement. The BA does not routinely visit demonstrations on road work sites for benefit purposes. The Agency has a policy of visiting to protect public funds and ensure customers receive their correct entitlement. Where certain criteria are met, a visit is made before Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based) is awarded, which are listed at appendix A. Visits are also made when customers in receipt of these benefits meet certain criteria, which are listed at appendix B. The Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) customers must be available for work and seek it actively, and the same rules applied for several years before the introduction of JSA. The JSA rules require customers to be immediately willing and able to take up work of at least 40 hours a week, at times which give them reasonable prospects of securing employment. They must also take realistic steps to look for work each week. Full guidance on the conditions was issued for the introduction of JSA in October 1996. Jobcentre staff apply them rigorously to all JSA customers, including those known or believed to be protesting by occupying a building site. I hope you find this reply helpful.

Appendix A
Unexplained background to claim or claim incomplete
Number of children inconsistent with child benefit declared
Jobseeker/Customer has no National Insurance number
Recent separation
No Fixed Abode
Request to backdate claim more than one month
Habitual Residence Test
Known at risk address
Customer may be living together as husband and wife with another person who has not been declared as their partner
Random Local Selection—up to 20 per cent. of activity
Guidance exists on the meaning of each criteria
Appendix B
Lone parent in receipt of Income Support (IS)
Jobseeker in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
Customer incapable/unavailable for work
Pensioners over 60 years and 3 months but less than 65 years and 4 months
Customer/Jobseeker or partner self-employed prior to claiming IS/JSA
Customer/Jobseeker or partner currently self-employed
Customer/Jobseeker or partner is an employed earner
Customer/Jobseeker or partner has other income
Customer or partner aged 67–69 in receipt of IS
Local selection