§ Mr. Andrew Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has any plans to make all major social security benefits claims available by post in future; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonA postal claim form for unemployed people wishing to claim supplementary benefit was introduced in December 1982. A three-month pilot study to test two new postal claim forms for all other supplementary benefit claimants ended in April. No decisions will be made about the future of these forms until the outcome of the study is known. During the pilot study, pensioners were given the choice between the present system of interview or visit for taking claims and claiming by post.
All other social security benefits except unemployment benefit can be claimed by post. Unemployment benefit claimants have to attend an unemployment benefit office to make a claim.