§ Ms. PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what circumstances taxi fares will be paid to claimants attending a regional medical service examination for invalidity benefit; what is the procedure for claiming taxi fares in advance; what is the procedure for reimbursing claimants their taxi fares; what is the average length of time taken to reimburse claimants' taxi fares; and how much has been paid out in taxi fares.
§ Mr. DorrellI have been asked to reply.
Taxi fares are not ordinarily reimbursed to claimants attending a regional medical service examination for invalidity benefit. They may be paid if the claimant is unable to travel by public transport because of illness or disability, or if public transport is not available at the time of attendance.
A claimant wishing to claim taxi fares should contact the divisional medical office in advance. Each application is assessed individually and, if authorised, the claimant will be reimbursed at the time of examination.
141WIf the claimant requests taxi fares at the time of examination, the public transport fares are paid immediately, and the request for the excess taxi fare forwarded to the divisional medical office. If authorised, the claim is either paid direct by the divisional medical office or forwarded to the regional finance office, DSS, for payment. The claim is usually reimbursed within 10 days.
The annual cost of reimbursing taxi fares is approximately £800 per year.