§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance the Government have issued to encourage full claiming of benefits; and if she will make a statement. [36103]
§ Mr. DenhamWe would encourage anyone who thinks they may be entitled to a benefit to make a claim. The Benefits Agency produces a wide range of leaflets and posters to make people aware of the benefits available.
In particular, we are determined to get help to the million pensioners who do not claim the Income Support to which they are entitled. We have already commissioned research to find out why they do not claim, and from April we will be running pilot exercises in nine areas at a cost of £15 million to find the best ways of identifying these pensioners and encouraging them to claim their entitlement.