§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provisions are made for prisoners to apply for social security benefits before release, to enable any such benefits to be received immediately upon release; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydResponsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Robert Maclennan, dated 13 December 1993:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking what provisions are made for prisoners to apply for social security benefits before release.Governors are encouraged to ensure that, whenever possible, prisoners are given the opportunity prior to discharge to seek advice about their entitlement to social security benefits on release. There are no arrangements for prisoners to make a claim while still in custody. Prisoners are advised to visit their local benefits office as soon as possible after release. They are provided with a form to introduce them to the Department of Social Security. Many qualify for a discharge grant, which provides financial assistance until they are able to lodge a claim.Guidance on benefits is given in the Prisoners Information Pack, which is available to all prisoners. The Prison Service are currently considering with the Benefits Agency whether the arrangements for providing advice to prisoners on benefits to which they may properly be entitled on release can be improved.