§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have lost entitlement to income support benefit as a result of child maintenance payments to them resulting from action taken by the Child Support Agency as recorded by form 646 during the months of October, November and December 1996; and if he will make a statement. [15942]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellThe administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant CB. She will write to the right hon. Member.
Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mrs. Margaret Beckett, dated 17 February 1997:
I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security regarding cessation of Income Support as a result of Child Support Agency action on form 646.The form used to notify the Benefits Agency of the amount and the commencement date of regular child maintenance is form CSA 676(A). This form has a tear-off facility to allow the Benefits Agency to inform the Child Support Agency of the outcome of the reassessment of Income Support, including cases where Income Support ceases.In such cases, where the absent parent is to make payments of maintenance via the Child Support Agency, the Benefits Agency contacts the Agency to ensure that maintenance payments have started before payments of Income Support cease. In cases where the absent parent is to pay maintenance directly to the parent with care any failure to pay the agreed amount of maintenance is reported to the Benefits Agency and the Child Support Agency.509WThe number of cases where the Benefits Agency has notified the Agency that Income Support has ceased is as follows:
- October 1996: 147
- November 1996: 153
- December 1996: 95
I hope this is helpful.