§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many DSS offices in each region had, halfway through the year, exhausted their funding provision for community care grants(a) for children, (b) for the elderly and (c) for the disabled.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from M. Bichard to Mrs. Helen Jackson, dated 10 November 1992:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about community care grant funding in DSS offices.814WLetter from Mr. Bichard to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 10 November 1992:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking by month since January for the Doncaster area, how many claims for (a) invalidity benefit, (b) sickness benefit (c) severe disablement allowance and (d) income support were referred to the regional medical services; how many of these cases resulted in medical examinations; and what was the outcome (i) where examinations took place and (ii) where they did not.The complete range of such information is not available except at disproportionate cost. This is because statistics covering decisions made following references to the Benefits Agency Medical Services are not available in the requested form.Listed in the annex are the figures available for Invalidity Benefit, Sickness Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance. There have been no references directly from Income Support sections but customers in receipt of the incapacity benefits which I have mentioned may also be in receipt of Income Support.The above information covers customers of the Agency's Doncaster East, Doncaster West and Mexborough offices.I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this reply will appear in the Official Report. Copies are also being placed in the Library.Annual allocations are made to each Benefits Agency District for community care grants. No District has exhausted its grants allocation for 1992–93.I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this reply will appear in the Official Report. Copies are also being placed in the Library.