§ Mr. RooneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what date the entitlement of disability living allowance for Peter Walsh, N.I. No. WM 00 36 58C was disallowed; when the request for a review was made; at what stage a consultant's report was requested; and when the review will be determined. [14277]
§ Mr. DenhamOne of our key aims is to rebuild integrity in, and public support for, the Social Security system and the way in which public money is spent. We need to focus on those who are properly entitled to benefit.
This is why we have set up the Benefit Integrity Project. The administration of this programme is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Gentleman with further details.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Terry Rooney, dated 5 November 1997:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning Mr Walsh and his entitlement to Disability Living Allowance (DLA).The Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) was set up in response to the recent Benefit Review of DLA. Over the next two years, specially trained staff will make enquiries by postal questionnaire or home visit in around 425,000 cases to establish whether DLA is being paid correctly. Mr Walsh was contacted through the enquiry work of the BIP.Following receipt of a completed BIP questionnaire from Mr Walsh and based on the information he provided, Mr Walsh was disallowed DLA from 14 August 1997. A review of this decision was requested on 24 September 1997. After full consideration by an Adjudication Officer, further information was sought in the form of a Consultant's report on 22 October 1997. A decision will be made on Mr Walsh's entitlement on receipt of this report. The Agency aims to complete 60% of review decisions within 55 working days, and 80% within 75 working days.I hope you find this reply helpful.