§ Mr. Moyleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make the necessary administrative changes in his Department so that an application for an extra heating allowance on form A9 by a retired person is not met with the request to fill in another and additional form.
§ Mr. RossiNo. The form mentioned has been produced locally to help speed the handling of claims for332W single payments towards extra fuel costs incurred during the winter period of severe weather. It simply requests on a proforma the details necessary for the benefit officer to decide on the claim following the guidance issued by the chief supplementary benefit officer (Memo 9, which is available in the Library of the House). I understand the design of the form was agreed with the Social Services Department, the Citizens' Advice Bureau and the local branch of Age Concern before being used.