§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many were eligible for housing benefit transitional payments at the start of the scheme; and how many are estimated to be in the next financial year.
§ Mr. Peter LloydWhen the transitional payments unit was set up it was announced that up to 300,000 people would be eligible to receive payments. Up to 9 December 396,000 applications had been received and 146,000 cases are receiving payments. In the majority of cases where assessments have not been made the unit is awaiting the return of inquiry forms from local authorities. The final date by which applications can be made is 31 March 1989 and until this date is reached it is not possible to predict how many people will eventually benefit from the scheme.