§ Mr. Jim MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether claims in writing for income support forwarded by organisations providing emergency accommodation will be treated as valid claims under the terms of Regulation 4(i) of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloA claim made by an organisation on behalf of a claimant is effective from the date of receipt by the Department but it must be followed up by a detailed statement of circumstances on one of the approved departmental claim forms. A claim can also be made by telephone to the Department provided it is followed up by a properly completed official claim form within one month.