§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what checks are made by his Department on the validity of EU documents before benefit is paid to EU nationals.
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe administration of income support 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. John Spellar, dated 2 March 1995:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what checks are made on the validity of EU documents before benefit is paid to EU nationals.
If there are grounds to doubt the authenticity or validity of documentation such as EU national ID cards, for example if there are signs of alteration or the information is inconsistent with the customer's benefit claim details, staff will consider all the evidence presented and may refuse to accept the documentation.
Staff have access to guidance on how to deal with suspect documentation provided in support of a benefit claim, in particular when attempting to establish a customer's identity. They are also able to seek advice from the Document Examination Unit of the Benefits Agency's (BA) Overseas Benefits Directorate.
I should add that in the case of a claim to a contributory benefit from a person from abroad, any EU documentation tendered would only initiate a claim; entitlement would need to be established by the BA's Overseas Benefits Directorate. The steps taken in processing such a claim would require corroborative documentation from sources other than the customer.
In addition, customers who have entered the UK within the last five years have, since 1 August 1994, had to show the adjudicating authorities that they are habitually resident in the UK to qualify for Income Support, Housing or Council Tax Benefits.
I hope you find this reply helpful.