HC Deb 22 April 1998 vol 310 cc639-41W
Mr. Cummings

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of each of the various components of disability living allowance there are in the Seaham and Peterlee areas. [37897]

Mr. Denham

The administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. John Cummings, dated 21 April 1998: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many recipients of each of the various components of Disability Living Allowance there are in the Seaham and Peterlee areas. The information requested is provided in the following table. The figures have been obtained by analysing the claims of customers living within postcodes in the Seaham and Peterlee areas. Source: Analytical Services Division, 5% data. The figures are provisional and subject to change.

Recipients of disability living allowance in Seaham and Peterlee:
Components Number
All awards 11,000
Care Components:
Higher rate care 1,700
Middle rate care 2,300
Lower rate care 2,900
Mobility Components:
Higher rate mobility 8,500
Lower rate mobility 1,500

I hope that this is helpful.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many reviews of disability living allowance awards were requested by recipients during each of the years 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98; and what was the average time between the request and the review decision being made. [39217]

Mr. Denham

The information is set out in the table.

Reviews of disability living allowance decisions
Total review requests Average time from request to review decision (days)
1995–96 344,100 44
1996–97 375,107 49
1997–98 354,732 52

Notes:

  1. 1. Figures relate to reviews initiated by the claimant.
  2. 2. Some decisions relate to requests received in the previous year.
  3. 3. Figures relate to decisions where a disallowed claim for benefit was allowed on review or where the amount or duration of a previous award has been increased.

Source:

Analytical Services Division: 100 per cent. data.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many reviews of disability living allowance awards during each of the years 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 were requested(a) within three months of the original decision and (b) at any time broken down by reviews initiated by (i) the claimant and (ii) the Benefits Agency; and how many in each case were found in the claimant's favour. [39218]

Mr. Keith Bradley

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the tables.

Reviews of disability living allowance decisions
Review decisions 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98
Reviews requested within three months of the original decision
Requests received 172,914 199,705 201,632
Decisions in the claimant's favour1,2 64,100 67,112 67,894
Reviews requested after three months of the original decision
Requests received 171,186 175,402 153,100
Decisions in the claimant's favour1,2 82,666 76,643 66,469
1Some decisions relate to requests received in the previous year.
2Figures relate to decisions where a disallowed claim for benefit was allowed on review or where the amount or duration of a previous award has been increased.

Note:

Figures relate to reviews initiated by the claimant.

Source:

Analytical Services Division: 100 per cent. data.

Reviews of disability living allowance
1995–96 1996–97 1997–98
Total initiated by claimant 138,000 135,400 122,600
In claimant's favour1 119,200 116,500 103,000
Total initiated by Secretary of State 4,000 3,400 8,800
In claimant's favour1 3,000 2,700 8,100
1Benefit awarded for the first time or amount and/or duration of award increased.

Notes:

  1. 1. Figures relate to 12 month period ending February.
  2. 2. This table does not include new and repeat claims where benefit was originally disallowed; or cases where benefit was terminated on review.

Source:

Analytical Services Division: 5 per cent. data.