§ Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) of 27 January 2003,Official Report, column 649W, in what order he will be sending out invitation letters to recipients of each category of benefit. [95566]
§ Malcolm WicksThe mailing exercise for direct payment began in October 2002 with four weekly paid Child Benefit customers and people in receipt of a War Pension. Since then we have continued with these benefits and started to issue mailings to people getting Retirement Pension. From March 2003 we plan to start to write to weekly paid Child Benefit customers.
Also from March 2003 we will start to contact customers in receipt of Jobcentre Plus benefits (Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, Industrial Injuries Scheme Benefits, Severe Disablement Allowance, Bereavement Benefit and Widows Benefit). Jobseeker's Allowance customers will be dealt with as part of their usual contact with the Department and will not receive a mailing.
In summer 2003 we plan to start writing to customers in receipt of Disability and Care benefits including Invalid Care Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance.