§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what proportion of applications for disability living allowance or for an upgrade to higher rate disability living allowance an adverse decision is given without the adjudication officer seeking information from the claimant's general practitioner or hospital consultant. [4846]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellThe information is not available in the format requested; the available information is given below.
A claimant is invited to provide supporting statements with his claim, for example from a GP, carer or social worker. Information from such sources may also be requested by an adjudication officer who may further ask for an examining medical practitioner's report. Information is sought from the most suitable source, and this may not be a GP or hospital consultant if, for example, the claimant has not recently attended for treatment.
Disability living allowance decisions made April 1992 to October 19961,2 (1) (2) (3) (4) Decisions involving any additional evidence other than from a GP or hospital (Thousands) Adverse decisions (of col 2) (Thousands) Adverse decisions as a percentage of decisions (col 3 as a percentage of col 2) Initial claims 1,568 3705 45 Other decisions4 1,414 5955 68 Source:
Analytical Services Division: 100 per cent. data.
Notes:
1 All figures are rounded and are for decisions based on evidence provided in the claim pack, which may include a GP's statement.
2 Cases where the type of evidence used is unknown have been excluded.
604W3 An adverse decision is one where benefit is refused.
4 Decisions made for renewal claims, reviews and appeals.
5 An adverse decision is one where either a previous refusal has been upheld, or where the benefit was previously awarded and the decision is not to increase the level of the award.