HC Deb 30 November 1992 vol 215 c66W
12. Mrs. Browning

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans his Department has to establish a family credit helpline.

Mr. Burt

We will fulfil our manifesto commitment by introducing a family credit telephone helpline from March 1993. This expanded service will for the first time be available to potential family credit recipients rather then simply current recipients and will help support yet more working families.

Mr. Milburn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many family credit claimants, since its introduction, have sought a change in their payments arising from a change in their income during the 26 weeks for which the award has been granted.

Mr. Burt

The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Milburn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of family credit claimants since its introduction have had a different income when they have made their second 26 weeks claim from when they made their first.

Mr. Burt

Since April 1988, 83 per cent. of family credit recipients, who made a successful claim for a period immediately following a previous award, had a different income at the time of their second claim.

No comparable information is held about those whose second claim was unsuccesful, or about those whose second award did not follow immediately after their previous award.

Source: 5 per cent. sample.

Mr. Milburn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to alter the family credit regulations to allow payments to take account of a claimant's change in income during the 26 weeks for which the award has been granted; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Burt

The majority of family credit claimants receive an increase in their earnings during the 26 weeks of the award. The rule therefore works to their advantage and we have no plans to change it.

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