§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many widowers whose spouses died prior to 9 April are estimated to be eligible for the new widowed parent's allowance; how many claim forms have been sent to this group of widowers; how many claim forms have been returned; and how many of these widowers already have the allowance. [371]
§ Malcolm WicksTo ensure that as many men as possible were able to claim widowed parent's allowance from the outset, the Department identified over 11,000 potential male beneficiaries from the child benefit computer system and sent them claim forms in March 2001. In addition, the Department has placed articles advertising the benefit in targeted magazines. Local Benefits Agency offices have also issued forms direct to men widowed before 9 April on request. Information on the number of men who have successfully claimed widowed parent's allowance is not yet available.