HC Deb 06 July 1976 vol 914 c529W
Mr. Richard Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ensure that the minimum period of time for lodging a claim for benefit is prominently shown on the new medical certificate due to be introduced in October, and that there is an equally prominent warning that in order to be sure of a valid claim all applicants should complete and return the form within the minimum period.

Mr. Orme

As I explained in my reply on 4th May—[Vol. 910 c.346]—there are varous time limits for claiming incapacity benefit. It would be impracticable to set these out in detail in the space available on the new medical statement intended to be introduced in October, as well as probably being confusing to the claimant. Like the present medical certificate, the medical statement will contain a warning printed in red that benefit may be lost if it is not claimed promptly.