§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many disabled pensioners currently claim supplementary benefit; and how many will(a) gain and (b) lose from the change to income support.
§ Mr. Scott[holding answer 24 November 1987]: It is estimated that around 175,000 pensioners currently receiving supplementary benefit will qualify for the higher pensioner premium on grounds of disability. Of these, around 60,000 will gain at the point of change (excluding those whose entitlement increased by less than 50p). There will be no losers as transitional protection ensures that any claimants who remain entitled to benefit and whose entitlement decreases will not lose at the point of change.