§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish in respect of all benefits payable the length of time which his Department expects to clear claims for that particular benefit. [101094]
§ Angela EagleThe administration of benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Mark Fisher to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 6 December 1999:
The Secretary of State has asked Peter Mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about publication of benefit clearance times. As he is unavailable I am replying.The Benefits Agency Customer Charter, which was published on 29 November, sets out national standards for a range of activities that customers can expect the Agency's offices to provide. This includes the length of time the Agency expects to take to clear benefit claims made by the Agency's main client groups, i. e. those of working age, pension age, the disabled and children. It also takes account of the need to balance accuracy and speed.The information is set out in the attached table.I hope this is helpful.
Charter standards: Time taken for decisions on claims and change of circumstances Benefit Claims (working days) Income Support 13 Jobseeker's Allowance 21 Incapacity Benefit 30 Disability Living Allowance 53 Retirement Pension 60 Child Benefit 30