§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance is issued by his Department to ensure that those in receipt of attendance allowance are made aware of other benefits which they may claim; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottThe Department's leaflets are available to people receiving attendance allowance from normal outlets including social security offices, citizens advice bureaux, post offices, voluntary organisations and by writing or telephoning the Department of Social Security's leaflets unit at Stanmore. In addition the attendance allowance claim pack (DS2) gives information about invalid care allowance and home responsibilities protection. It also directs potential attendance allowance beneficiaries to sources of help and advice, including the social security freeline telephone service.
The leaflet which is sent with all decisions on attendance allowance (DS668) alerts recipients to a range of other 269W social security benefits to which they might be entitled, including invalid care allowance, income support, housing benefit and severe disablement allowance, and where to seek advice about social security benefits. It also gives details of the independent living fund. Children approaching 16 years of age who are receiving attendance allowance are sent specific advice about severe disablement allowance and income support, for which they may qualify.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of attendance allowance reviews by doctors, of original decisions by delegated medical practitioners not to award, result in an award of attendance allowance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottThe information is not available in the form requested.
Information on all successful reviews is given at table E1.02 of "Social Security Statistics 1990", a copy of which is available in the Library. The figures for 1990 are given in the table.
Decisions on review by the Attendance Allowance Board and reason for review Figures Total Reviews 68,094 Number successful 51,320 Success rate 75 per cent. Reason for Review Dissatisfaction: Number reviewed 33,615 Number successful 21,330 Success rate 63 per cent. Deterioration: Number reviewed 32,347 Number successful 29,084 Success rate 90 per cent. Other change: Number reviewed 2,132 Number successful 906 Success rate 42 per cent. Note: A successful review is one where an award is made or increased or is backdated.