§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many disabled people were receiving income support in May 1992; and what change there has been in the number in each subsequent year. [14077]
§ Mr. BurtThe information is not available in the format requested as there is no specific information available on the number of people with disabilities who receive income support.
However, information on the number of people who receive the disability or higher pensioner premium, other than those who qualify because they are aged 80 or over, as part of their income support, is in the table.
Date Income support claimants in receipt of the disability premium Income support claimants aged 60–79 in receipt of the higher pensioner premium Total May 1992 425,000 190,000 614,000 May 1993 527,000 249,000 776,000 May 1994 618,000 296,000 914,000 May 1995 739,000 342,000 1,081,000 February 1996 769,000 374,000 1,143,000 1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand and totals may not sum.
2. Sample size is 5 per cent.
3. The disability premium is awarded to those people aged under 60 who receive disability living allowance, attendance allowance, severe disablement allowance, or long-term incapacity benefit. The premium is also paid to people who have been incapable of work for at least 364 days.
4. The higher pensioner premium is awarded to those people aged between 60 and 79 who receive disability living allowance, attendance allowance, severe disablement allowance, or long-term incapacity benefit. The premium is also paid to people who were in receipt of the disability premium within eight weeks of their 60th birthday, and have been in receipt of income support continuously since then.