§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will produce in the Official Report the standard letter sent to claimants whose benefit is reduced on grounds of voluntary unemployment.
§ Dr. BoysonAs there are several situations in which benefit may be reduced on grounds of voluntary unemployment, there are several standard letters, and claimants receive whichever letter or letters are appropriate in their circumstances. Two of the letters most commonly used are reproduced as follows:
Department of Health and Social Security
I am writing to tell you that your supplementary benefit is payable at a reduced rate for the period from toAccording to the provisions of Regulation 8 of the Supplementary Benefit (Requirements) Regulations 1980.When arriving at this decision the Supplementary Benefit Officer has taken account of the following decision which has been made in your case by an Insurance Officer appointed under the Social Security Act 1975, Section 97 (1).The claimant is disqualified for receiving unemployment benefit because:he/she voluntarily left his/her employment without just cause (Social Security Act 1975, Section 20(1)(d)).If you want to query your benefit or have anything else considered, please let me know.You can appeal to an independent tribunal against the decision to pay Supplementary Benefit at a reduced rate. If you want to appeal against this decision you should let me know in writing within 28 days giving your reasons. If you want to know what happens when you appeal, ask this office for leaflet NI246.You can also appeal against the Insurance Officer's decision. If you want to appeal against the decision, contact the unemployment benefit office as soon as possible.Department of Health and Social Security
I am writing to tell you that your supplementary benefit will 269W be paid at a reduced rate for the period from to because the circumstances in which your last job ended raises a doubt as to whether you could be entitled to unemployment benefit. This question will be decided by an Insurance Officer.If the Insurance Officer decides that you are not, or would not be, disqualified for receiving unemployment benefit, arrears of supplementary benefit will be paid to you.If you want to query your benefit or have anything else considered, please let me know.You can appeal to an independent tribunal against the decision to reduce your rate of Supplementary Benefit. If you want to appeal, let me know in writing within 28 days giving your reasons.If you want to know what happens when you appeal, ask this office for leaflet NI246.