§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance is issued to general practioners about charges for completion of disability living allowance claim forms. [6277]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellThis is a matter for Peter Mathison, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 18 December 1995:
The Secretary of Stae for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about what guidance is issued to general practioners about charges for completion of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claim forms.The Benefits Agency has produced booklet IB204: A Guide for Registered Medical Practitioners. It contains specific details of when fees are paid for the information GPs may be asked to provide. It is available to all GPs and a copy has been placed in the Library.1B204 informs GPs that their patients may ask them to complete a statement at the back of the DLA claim form and all that is required is a brief note on their disabling condition(s). It clearly states that a fee is not paid for completing this statement.Information is also included with the DLA claim form outlining the help available to a customer who requires assistance completing a DLA claim form. The notes and advice section which accompanies the DLA claim form stresses that all of these services are available to customers at no cost.I hope you find this reply helpful.