§ Mrs. BallardTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what criteria the Benefit Integrity Unit uses when deciding which claimants will be re-assessed. [27257]
§ 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. Benefits should go to those who are properly entitled to benefit. This is why we have continued with Benefits 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. Member with further details.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mrs. Jackie Ballard, dated 17 February 1998:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to respond to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding what criteria the Benefit Integrity Unit uses when deciding which claimants will be re-assessed.The Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) is looking again at existing DLA awards of the higher rate of mobility component combined with either the middle or highest rate of care component. Such periodic review is usual in other benefits. There are exceptions to the re-assessment criteria, these include people receiving payments under Special Rules, quadriplegics, paraplegics, people who are both deaf and blind, double amputees and those within our definition of severe mental impairment.I hope you find the reply helpful.