§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the(a) maximum, (b) minimum and (c) average times from date of claim to receipt of benefit where (i) there is no review, (ii) there is no appeal and (iii) there is an appeal for (1) disability living allowance and (2) attendance allowance.
§ Mr. HagueThe administration of disability living allowance and attendance allowance are matters for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 21 July 1994:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what are (a) maximum. (b) minimum and (c) average times from date of claim to receipt of benefit where (i) there is no review (ii) there is no appeal and (iii) there is an appeal for (1) Disability Living Allowance and (2) Attendance Allowance.Data on maximum, minimum and average clearance times is not maintained. Instead performance is measured in terms of X% of cases cleared within Y days. Performance measurement is undertaken for the individual business areas of new claims, reviews and appeals. Actual performance is detailed in Annex I together with requisite targets.Information supplied at Annex 1 for appeals only relates to the time taken for a submission to be sent to the Independent Tribunal service (ITS). A commitment has been given in the Charter Standard Statements of both the Disability Living Allowance 611W Unit (DLAU) and Attendance Allowance Unit (AAU), where this work is processed to make payment of benefit within 10 working days once the result of a successful appeal is received.I hope you find this reply helpful.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many persons are currently working on(a) attendance allowance, (b) disability working allowance and (c) disability living allowance within the Benefits Agency.
§ Mr. HagueThe administration of disability living allowance, disability working allowance and attendance allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 21 July 1994:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the number of people currently working on Attendance Allowance (AA), Disability Working Allowance (DWA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA).The table below gives the numbers of staff currently working on DWA, AA and DLA. Disability Benefits centres (DBCs) deal with claims for both DLA and AA. It is not possible to allocate staffing by benefit for these centres as the same staff can work on both benefits.A staffing breakdown has been provided for the AA Unit (AAU) and the DLA Unit (DLAU). It should be noted, however, that there are some staff who work in the DLAU who have responsibilities for both benefit areas. Common support areas such as personnel fall into this category.
Number DWA 75 AAU 619 DLAU 1,848 DBCs 1,450 I hope you find this reply helpful.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance has been issued to Benefits Agency adjudication officers following the House of Lords judgment of 21 April concerning Mr. Eric Mallinson.
Share of total income received by individuals in top 50 per cent., 40 per cent., 30 per cent., 20 per cent., and 10 per cent., of the United Kingdom income distribution (including self-employed) Before housing costs Per cent. 1979 1981 1987 1988–89 1990–91 1991–92 Share of total income of: Top 50 67 68 71 72 73 73 Top 40 58 59 62 63 64 64 Top 30 47 48 51 52 53 54 Top 20 35 36 39 40 41 41 Top 10 21 21 24 25 26 26
After housing costs Per cent. 1979 1981 1987 1988–89 1990–91 1991–92 Share of total income of: Top 50 68 69 72 73 75 75 Top 40 58 60 63 64 65 66 Top 30 48 49 52 53 55 55 Top 20 35 36 40 41 43 43 Top 10 21 22 25 26 27 27 Notes:
1. The figures are based on net equivalised household income.
2. The figures are estimates based on the Family Expenditure Survey. 1988–89, 1990–91 and 1991–92 are the respective calendar years combined.
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§ Mr. HagueThe Chief Adjudication Officer issued guidance to adjudication officers on 12 May 1994. In addition, the Benefits Agency has issued two bulletins. Copies will be placed in the Library.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the most recent figures to show the time elapsed from an application for appeal and appeal date in claims for(a) disability living allowance and (b) attendance allowance.
§ Mr. HagueI am informed by His Honour Judge Thorpe, president of the independent tribunal service, that on disability living allowance the average time from lodgement of an appeal to the hearing is 26 weeks, for attendance allowance the time is 28 weeks.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if seeing is treated as a bodily function for the purposes of disability living allowance and attendance allowance claims.
§ Mr. HagueThe Law Lords ruled on 21 April that seeing is treated as a bodily function for the purposes of establishing entitlement to disability living allowance and attendance allowance.