§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of those qualifying for transitionsl protection under the housing benefit scheme who will not apply therefor; what publicity he has undertaken to maximise take-up; how much of that has been made available in minority languages; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloWe have not estimated what the level of take-up will be. Leaflet RR4 ("Housing Benefit—New Rules") is available from a number of agencies including the transitional payments unit, DHSS local offices, local authorities and post offices. This leaflet explains who can qualify and it contains an application form for dispatch by Freepost to the unit. A national press advertising campaign was carried out during the week commencing 23 May which, as well as explaining the transitional payments scheme, publicised the Freepost and Freeline services. I am considering a further campaign this month.
The material has been published in English only.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give details of the number of students436W affected during the academic year 1987–88 by changes in housing benefit regulations and the average amount of benefit lost per student.
§ Mr. PortilloWe published estimates of the impact of the social security reforms in October 1987. There is no analysis of the impact on students specifically.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many voluntary advice agencies in Bradford, which have contacted the special Glasgow housing benefit unit for supplies of application forms for those wanting help after losing more than £2.50 a week, have received the quantity of forms requested;
(2) what discussions are taking place with local authorities, housing associations and other organisations, about the distribution of application forms for help to those who have lost more than £2.50 in housing benefit; and why the Glasgow unit was unable to supply Bradford council with a request for 17,000 application forms it required to circulate to Bradford people it had identified as being eligible for help.
§ Mr. Michael Portillo[holding answer 22 June 1988]: The transitional payments unit in Glasgow is able to issue application forms in response to requests from individuals through the Freepost and Freeline services. At the beginning of June we issued all local authorities with an initial supply of leaflets and at the same time we informed them of the address of the marketing firm from which further copies could be obtained. This address was given to local authorities again in circular HB88(7) which was issued to all local authorities on 1 June.
No record is held of the number of leaflet requests. received from advice agencies in Bradford but all are being met in full with no restriction on the numbers issued; 17,000 leaflets were issued to Bradford council on 29 June 1988.
As made clear in previous answers and in the press campaign, the application form for transitional payments (leaflet RR4: "Housing Benefit—New Rules") is available from a variety of sources including DHSS offices, local authorities and post offices.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will arrange an early media advertising campaign to advise people who have lost more than £2.50 housing benefit a week and eligible for assistance what action they need to take to apply for help; and if he will ensure that newspaper media advertising includes coupons for an applicant to send to his Department to apply for help.
§ Mr. Portillo[holding answer 22 June 1988]: A national press publicity campaign was carried out during the week commencing 23 May. These advertisements gave details of the transitional payments and the changes to capital rules as well as announcing the availability of leaflet RR4 ("Housing Benefit—New Rules"), which contains an application form. I am considering a further campaign this month.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many leaflets have been printed giving advice about how people who have lost more than £2.50 housing benefit can apply for help; how many application forms applicants are required to complete; how many forms of each type have been printed; how many such forms have 437W been supplied to the Glasgow unit; how many forms have been despatched by the Glasgow unit; and what arrangements have been made for more application forms to be printed.
§ Mr. Portillo[holding answer 22 June 1988]: A total of 8.5 million copies of leaflet RR4 ("Housing Benefit—New Rules"), which gives information about housing benefit transitional payments, and contains an application form, have been printed. Each person is required to complete only one application form and return it to the transitional payments unit in Glasgow. Copies of the leaflet are available from the unit but also from local DHSS offices, local authorities, post offices and voluntary agencies. 60,000 copies of leaflet RR4 have been supplied to the unit and 37,000 have been issued. As current stocks are plentiful, there are no plans to reprint the leaflet at present.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when the special unit set up to handle claims for discretionary payments in respect of his Department's claimants who have lost more than £2.50 weekly as a result of the housing benefit reforms is now expected to be fully operational; when constituents in South Hams will be able to claim; where the unit will be based; how long the claims will take to process; whether they will be backdated to 1 April; and what factors have delayed the establishment of the unit.
§ Mr. Portillo[holding answer 27 June 1988]: I expect the transitional payments unit in Glasgow to be fully operational this month and the first payments issued will include arrears from April. Leaflets RR4 ("Housing Benefit—New Rules") have been available for several weeks from DHSS local authorities, local authorities, post offices and through our Freepost and Freeline services. These contain an application form to be returned to the unit. The processing time will depend upon the rate and number of applications received.