§ Mr. DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress the Benefits Agency has made in checking live claims to income support where potential entitlement to the severe disability premium has not been considered; and what further action is being taken on those claims where income support is no longer in payment. [6300]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe exercise carried out by the Benefits Agency to examine claims from customers currently in receipt of income support who may be entitled to the server disability premium is nearing completion. These investigations have resulted in approximately 24,000 customers receiving payment of arrears of benefit. Of these, around 18,000 have continuing awards of the premium.
I have also instructed the Benefits Agency to take all reasonable steps to identify and where possible, contact customers no longer in receipt of income support who during the period of their claim to income support, may have been entitled to the SDP. I have not however asked them to take any specific steps in respect of customers now deceased.