§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress is being made in clearing the backlog of payments of winter fuel allowance to those who lost their original cheque. [120126]
§ Angela EagleThe administration of winter fuel payments is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Vernon Coaker, dated 8 May 2000:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what progress is being made in clearing the backlog of payments of winter fuel allowance to those who lost their original cheque.413WThe Benefits Agency's (BA) winter fuel team have made enquiries of their Mercia Area Directorate (ADS) which covers your constituency area. They advise that the question of replacing 13 girocheques is still outstanding pending further investigation.Any winter fuel payments reported lost, missing or not received are treated in the same manner as other lost or missing payments and replaced accordingly. If a customer reports a lost, missing or not received girocheque to the local BA Office a form is completed by the customer stating the circumstances of the loss or non-receipt. This can be either completed at the office or posted to the customer. If posted the process of replacement takes a little longer allowing for postage times. When the form is returned an officer acting on behalf of the Secretary of State examines the information to consider a replacement.I hope this is helpful.