§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people would benefit if the capital limits on social security benefits were rasied to £10,000.
§ Mr. PortilloThe only social security benefits affected by the amount of capital a person has are income support, housing benefit and family credit. The numbers (in thousands) of people who would become entitled to those benefits if the capital cut-off limit were raised to £10,000 are:
Persons (thousands) Income Support 6.0 Family Credit : 4.1 Housing Benefit : 152.0
§ Mr. HigginsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy with regard to supplementary benefit recipients being asked for photostat copies of bank and savings accounts before the new income support grant is granted, with particular reference to those cases where such information is already on record; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloDuring the exercise to convert supplementary benefit payments to income support it was necessary 379W to ensure that up-to-date information was available on all aspects of a claim. Staff are instructed to ask to see statements, bank books, and so on, but not photocopies of original documents.
§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will review the contents of those parts of the claim forms for income support and family credit which require claimants to declare capital of more than £2,500 rather than £3,000 and which require the divulging of personal information.
§ Mr. PortilloIncome support and family credit claimants are asked to provide details when savings are more than £2,500. This is below the £3,000 capital limit in case some assets have to be valued at more than their nominal face value (for example shares or national savings certificates).