HC Deb 01 February 1996 vol 270 cc947-8W
Mr. Bradley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to make sure that the new benefits payment card is user-friendly to older people and people with disabilities. [11751]

Mr. Heald

We have had extensive consultations with a wide range of customer representative organisations, including those with a special interest in the needs of the elderly and of people with disabilities. They have provided valuable input into the design requirements of the benefit payment card.

The final card design has not yet been chosen, being subject to the evaluation of service providers' proposals, but we are looking to ensure that the new system will be simple and straightforward for all our customers to use, as well as secure.

Mr. Bradley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to ensure that information currently contained in the pension book will be preserved and improved with the proposed new benefit payment card system with particular reference to(a) a permanent record of pension payments received, (b) details of how the pension is made up, (c) clear information on the amount due and the date available, (d) information on change of circumstances and (e) details of claiming income support. [11750]

Mr. Heald

This 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. Keith Bradley, dated 31 January 1996: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what plans he has to ensure that information currently contained in the pension book will be preserved and improved with the proposed new benefit payment card system with particular reference to (a) a permanent record of pension payments received, (b) details of how the pension is made up, (c) clear information on the amount due and the date available, (d) information on change of circumstances and (e) details of claiming Income Support (IS). The Benefits Agency is committed to continuing to provide full information and advice about benefits to all our customers. Each time a customer receives a payment of benefit at a post office a receipt will be issued. This receipt will include details of the type(s) of benefit paid, the amount(s) payable, the due date and the date of payment and the date of the last payment(s) made. Customers will be encouraged to retain these receipts as a record of the pension they have received, although full statements of the account will be available on request from the DSS office responsible for authorising the payment. New pensioners will continue to receive a notice of entitlement before their Retirement Pension is due, as they do now, which will include details of how their benefit is made up. Existing pensioners will receive a notification before their first card is issued. When a customer notifies a change in circumstances which affects the amount of benefit payable, a written notification will be issued. These arrangements reflect those which are already in place for pensioners who have chosen to be paid by Automated Credit Transfer. It is intended that details of the date the next pension payment is due will be included on the last benefit receipt issued. There will be information about the need to report changes of circumstances printed on the reverse of the card. Final decisions have not yet been made about how information on other benefits such as IS will be made available to individual customers. Current communication facilities will continue to be used for example, leaflets, advertisements etc. Firmer proposals will be available once the final selection of the card payment system supplier is made. I hope you find this reply helpful.