§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will instruct the Sheffield office of the Benefits Agency to withdraw its letter, "Urgent-Benefit Leaving", of 31 October 1995; [3477]
(2) if he will ensure that all applicants for benefit under the urgent case regulations are informed of the provisional nature of the announced changes. [3478]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 4 December 1995:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking for the Benefits Agency's Sheffield office to withdraw its letter "Urgent-Benefit Leaving" of 31 October and if the Secretary of State will ensure that all applicants for benefit under the Urgent Case Regulations are informed of the provisional nature of the announced changes.The letter issued to certain customers in Sheffield advising them that from 8 January 1996 they would not be entitled to benefit under the Urgent Cases Regulations was issued in error as a result of a misunderstanding by the office of the guidance issued by the Branch responsible for Income Support. The error was discovered and the letter withdrawn within 48 hours. Further guidance has been issued to clarify the position to all District Offices and a letter of apology sent to the customers involved.As legislation is not currently in place it is not appropriate to advise those customers receiving benefit under the Urgent Cases Regulations of the Secretary of State's proposals as details are subject to change. As soon as the legislation is in place, the Income Support awards for customers affected by the changes will be passed to an Adjudication Officer to consider a review. Customers will then be informed of the Adjudication Officer's decision and their subsequent right of appeal.I hope this reply is helpful.