§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what procedures exist to ensure that parents whose children are sentenced to be detained do not continue to receive(a) child benefit and (b) other benefits in respect of them. [18099]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThis is an operational matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
575WLetter from Peter Mathison to Mr. David Shaw, dated 17 March 1997:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what procedures exist to ensure that parents whose children are sentenced to be detained, do not continue to receive a) Child Benefit and b) other benefits in respect of them.Customers receiving Child Benefit are obliged to report any changes of circumstances in accordance with the instructions contained in their order book. This would include instances when a child is detained in legal custody. Similarly, those in receipt of Widows Benefit, Retirement Pension, Income Support or short term benefits which include an additional amount for a dependent child must report the changes.Customers receiving benefit by Automated Credit Transfer are periodically sent details of what changes of circumstances should be reported.The position is different for people receiving Family Credit (FC). Entitlement is calculated and benefit is awarded for a fixed period for a family's circumstances at the date of the claim. If a child subsequently leaves a household, entitlement continues unless the child is included within another family claiming FC. There are no provisions within FC legislation for payments to cease in any other circumstances involving children.I hope you find this reply helpful.