§ Dan NorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to protect sufferers of asbestos-related diseases from the provisions of the Social Security Bill in respect of the backdating of claims to one month. [19324]
Mr. BradleyThe proposed rules will provide for up to one month's automatic backdating for non-income related benefits and up to month's backdating of claims for income-related benefits in specified situations. This will include circumstances where the person is ill or disabled and has no relative, friend or adviser to assist them in making a claim. There will also be a number of exceptions which may allow backdating beyond the one month limit.
People suffering from mesothelioma will continue to benefit from the removal of the 90-day waiting period for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit and the widening of the range of occupations covered for this disease.