§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many disability working allowance renewal forms were returned to claimants because they arrived too early during February and March; and if she will make a statement; [38113]
(2) what estimate she has made of the number of DWA forms that were returned because they arrived too early, separately identifying the costs of (a) staff time and (b) postage; and if she will make a statement. [38114]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyThe administration of Disability Working Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Ms Joan Walley, dated 21 April 1998:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking how many Disability Working Allowance (DWA) renewal forms were returned to claimants because they arrived too early during February and March, and what estimate she has made of the number of forms that were returned because they arrived too early, separately identifying the costs of (a) staff time and (b) postage.The number of DWA renewal forms returned to claimants because they arrived too early during February and March 1998 was 222.The estimated cost of staff time and postage incurred in returning DWA claims because they arrived too early during February and March has been estimated at £7.59 per case or a total of £1,684.98.I hope that this is helpful.