Benefits (Hansard, 13 December 1978)

§ Mrs. Wise
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in the light of the long gap which now exists between the commencement of a contribution year and the end of a benefit year, 32 months, what steps he takes to draw the public's attention to the fact that they may have entitlement to contributory 229W benefits even though they may have stopped work.

§ Mr. Orme:
The contribution conditions for benefit are explained in the publicity leaflets which are issued by the Department and are available on request. In addition, it is open to any person unsure of his rights to seek advice at any of the Department's local offices.

§ Mrs. Wise
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many

Benefit Time for Claiming

1. Unemployment benefit On the day for which benefit is claimed or on a specified day notified to the claimant by the Secretary of State.

2. Invalid care allowance Within three months from the first day for which benefit claimed.

3. Sickness benefit, invalidity benefit, injury benefit or noncontributory invalidity pension. Within 21 days where this is the first claim for one of these benefits; within six days of the first day in any subsequent spell of incapacity; and within ten days where the claim is a continuation claim.

4. Maternity allowance Within three weeks from the beginning of the 14th week before expected confinement or, where the allowance is claimed only from confinement, within three weeks of that date. The times for claiming can he extended for good cause for delay but there is an absolute bar on payment for a period more than 12 months before the date of claim.

5. Increases to the above benefits for dependants. Within one month from the first day for which claimed.

6. Retirement pension, widows benefit, child's special allowance, guardian's allowance, and increases to these benefits in respect of dependants. Within three months of the first day in which the entitlement conditions are satisfied.

7. Maternity grant From the 14th week before confinement to three months after. Where good cause is shown for delay, the adjudicating authorities may extend the time-limit by not more than 12 months.

8. Death grant Within six months from the date of death. The Secretary of State ma) extend the time-limit indefinitely where he thinks it appropriate in a particular case.

9. Disablement benefit Within three months from the first day on which conditions for receipt of benefit are satisfied.

10. Industrial death benefit Within three months from the date of death or, where the conditions for receipt of benefit cannot be satisfied until a later date, from that date.

11. Increase of disablement benefit on grounds of unemployability, special hardship, need of constant attendance, receipt of hospital treatment or exceptionally severe disablement. Within three months from the first day on which the conditions for receipt of the increases are satisfied. The times for claiming can be extended for good cause for delay.

12. Increase of disablement benefit in respect of a child or adult dependant. Within three months from the first day on which the conditions for receipt of benefit are satisfied.

230W
absolute time limit rules there are for claiming social security benefits; and if he will list these in theOfficial Report;
(2) how many initial time limit rules there are for claiming social security benefits; and if he will list these in theOfficial Report.

§ Mr. Orme:
The provisions for time limits for claiming benefit, and for the extension of these limits in certain circumstances, vary according to the benefit claimed, as follows:
231W

Benefit Time for Claiming

13. Attendance allowance The allowance is paid from the date of claim.

14. Mobility allowance The allowance is paid from the date of claim.

15. Child benefit; Child benefit increase. Within 52 weeks of the first day for which claimed.

16. Family income supplement The supplement is paid from the date of claim. In certain circumstances payment may be back-dated for up to three months.

17. Supplementary benefits Paid from pay day following date of claim, or that day if a pay day. In certain exceptional circumstances, payment may be back-dated before the date of claim.

§ Mrs. Wise
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what methods are used to monitor the working of (a) initial time limit rules and (b) absolute time limit rules with regard to the claiming of social security benefits.

§ Mr. Orme:
The application of the rules for claiming within time limits is for the independent adjudicating authorities or the determining authorities specified in the Acts. No special arrangements are made to monitor this particular aspect of claims procedure.

Benefit	Time for Claiming
1. Unemployment benefit	On the day for which benefit is claimed or on a specified day notified to the claimant by the Secretary of State.
2. Invalid care allowance	Within three months from the first day for which benefit claimed.
3. Sickness benefit, invalidity benefit, injury benefit or noncontributory invalidity pension.	Within 21 days where this is the first claim for one of these benefits; within six days of the first day in any subsequent spell of incapacity; and within ten days where the claim is a continuation claim.
4. Maternity allowance	Within three weeks from the beginning of the 14th week before expected confinement or, where the allowance is claimed only from confinement, within three weeks of that date.	The times for claiming can he extended for good cause for delay but there is an absolute bar on payment for a period more than 12 months before the date of claim.
5. Increases to the above benefits for dependants.	Within one month from the first day for which claimed.
6. Retirement pension, widows benefit, child's special allowance, guardian's allowance, and increases to these benefits in respect of dependants.	Within three months of the first day in which the entitlement conditions are satisfied.
7. Maternity grant	From the 14th week before confinement to three months after.	Where good cause is shown for delay, the adjudicating authorities may extend the time-limit by not more than 12 months.
8. Death grant	Within six months from the date of death.	The Secretary of State ma) extend the time-limit indefinitely where he thinks it appropriate in a particular case.
9. Disablement benefit	Within three months from the first day on which conditions for receipt of benefit are satisfied.
10. Industrial death benefit	Within three months from the date of death or, where the conditions for receipt of benefit cannot be satisfied until a later date, from that date.
11. Increase of disablement benefit on grounds of unemployability, special hardship, need of constant attendance, receipt of hospital treatment or exceptionally severe disablement.	Within three months from the first day on which the conditions for receipt of the increases are satisfied.	The times for claiming can be extended for good cause for delay.
12. Increase of disablement benefit in respect of a child or adult dependant.	Within three months from the first day on which the conditions for receipt of benefit are satisfied.

Benefit	Time for Claiming
13. Attendance allowance	The allowance is paid from the date of claim.
14. Mobility allowance	The allowance is paid from the date of claim.
15. Child benefit; Child benefit increase.	Within 52 weeks of the first day for which claimed.
16. Family income supplement	The supplement is paid from the date of claim.	In certain circumstances payment may be back-dated for up to three months.
17. Supplementary benefits	Paid from pay day following date of claim, or that day if a pay day.	In certain exceptional circumstances, payment may be back-dated before the date of claim.