§ Ms BuckTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the cost of exempting Invalid Care Allowance from the overlapping benefits rules(a) entirely and (b) with respect to retirement pension. [152330]
§ Mr. BayleyIt is estimated that for the year 2002–03 the cost of abolishing the overlapping benefits rules for ICA recipients(a) entirely would be £450 million and (b) for those over state pension age only, £400 million.
The rules on overlapping benefits have been a feature of social security benefit payments since 1948 and prevent more than one benefit intended to meet the same need being paid at the same time.
Notes:
1. The figures quoted represent 2002–3 benefit rates and caseloads and have been rounded to the nearest fifty million.
2. The source used is the Family Resources Survey 1999–00, ICA quarterly extract December 2000 and ICA caseload forecasts.
3. Given the limitations of modelling entitlement to invalid care allowance from survey data the estimate should be treated with caution.
4. It is assumed that take-up among the entitled group will he one hundred percent.
5. An adjustment has been made for IRB effects.