§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the percentage of those pensioners who are entitled to claim income support who actually do so. [77364]
§ Mr. TimmsThe latest available figures suggest that between 68 per cent. and 79 per cent. of pensioners entitled to Income Support actually claim it. These figures are, however, a provisional estimate following the discovery of an inaccuracy in the published estimates of take-up of income-related benefits. Work continues towards a fully revised set of figures to be published in May.
Note:Pensioners" in the context of Income Support, means pensioner benefit units—a single person aged 60 or over, or a couple (counted as one "benefit unit") where one or both members is aged 60 or over.