§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to make changes to the Social Security (Adjudication) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 1994 in response to the suggestion relating to housing costs mentioned by the chief adjudication officer at paragraph 2.7 of his annual report for 1993–94.
§ Mr. Roger EvansAmendments to the social security adjudication regulations were laid yesterday which will come into force on 14 November. These will enable the adjudication officer to adjudicate on those claims where they have insufficient information to decide the amount which may be allowed for items of housing costs. In those cases only those items of housing costs, if any, which can be determined immediately will be included in the applicable amount. Once sufficient information is available to enable other housing costs to be determined, the initial decision will be reviewed. The amendment makes similar provision for cases where it appears that566W the severe disability premium may be appropriate, but the AO needs additional information before deciding whether this premium is applicable.