§ Mr. GerrardTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in the Walthamstow constituency submitted claims(a) more than three months ago and (b) more than six months ago whose claims are still outstanding.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter to Mr. Neil Gerrard from Mr. Michael Bichard, dated 29 October 1992:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many people in the Walthamstow constituency submitted claims (a) more than three months ago and (b) more than six months ago whose claims are still outstanding.The complete range of information you requested is not available except at disproportionate cost. This is because not all claims to benefits are submitted to District Offices. Claims such as Child Benefit, Family Credit and Disability Living Allowance are dealt with at central locations. It would be necessary to examine all claims outstanding nationally to obtain the relevant information.915WThe information I have outlined in Appendix 1, is for benefits processed locally by Ilford, Leytonstone and Walthamstow offices which make up the Benefits Agency's Lea-Roding District. It is not possible to provide a more detailed breakdown because the District boundary does not correspond with that of the London borough of Walthamstow.There is no information kept locally to record the length of time a claim has been outstanding. It would be exceptional for claims to be outstanding three or even six months. This can be illustrated by the information which I have given at Apprendix 2, which is a list of local clearance targets for some of the benefits mentioned. It gives account of new claims, the review of claims on a change of circumstances, and the actual performance achieved for the year to date.
Appendix 2 Benefit Target Achieved-year to date Income support (claims) 4 days 3.9 days Income support (review) 65 per cent, in two days 84 per cent in two days 95 per cent, in five days 87 per cent, in five days Sickness/invalidity 65 per cent, in 10 days 66 per cent, in 10 days 95 per cent, in 30 days 90 per cent, in 10 days Retirement and widows pension (claims) 65 per cent, in 20 days not available dealt with 95 per cent, in 60 days centrally Retirement and widows pension (review) 65 per cent, in five days 74 per cent, in five days 95 per cent, in 15 days 91 per cent, in 15 days Social fund Crisis loans 0.1 days 0.1 days Budgeting loans 5.0 days 2.1 days Community care grants 5.1 days 4.4 days