§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases of people incorrectly claiming Incapacity Benefit instead of the long-term unemployed benefit have been identified(a) this year and (b) in each of the last three years. [97268]
556W
§ Mr. BayleyEntitlement to Incapacity Benefit depends upon a person meeting the requirements of either the Own Occupation Test or the All Work Test. For those in recent employment, the Own Occupation Test applies; this requires a medical certificate confirming that the person is unable to perform their usual job. After six months for these claimants, and from the outset for those not in recent employment, the All Work Test applies; this determines whether the person reaches a set level of physical and/or mental incapacity. People who do not satisfy the relevant test but nevertheless have a degree of mental or physical incapacity can claim Jobseeker's Allowance as unemployed and restrict their availability in any way providing the restrictions are reasonable in the light of their physical or mental condition.
The number of people disallowed Incapacity Benefit because they did not satisfy the relevant test is set out in the table. It should be noted that people can also fail to satisfy the All Work Test because they do not return the questionnaire issued to claimants or because they fail to attend for medical examination. Data for 1998–99 are not yet available.
Number of Incapacity Benefit claims terminated because the claimant did not satisfy the Own Occupation Test or All Work Test Did not satisfy the Own Occupation Test Did not satisfy the All Work Test 1995–96 1,300 52,700 1996–97 1,200 94,700 1997–98 1,600 86,300 Note:
Figures are taken from a 1 per cent. sample of Incapacity Benefit recipients
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women have claimed(a) Incapacity Benefit and (b) Severe Disablement Allowance (i) this year and (ii) in each of the last three years. [97266]
§ Mr. BayleyInformation split by gender is not available on the number of claims made for Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance, some of which will not result in an award of benefit.
The number of spells of benefit commencing in each of the last three years for which information is available is set out in the table; data for 1998–99 are not yet available.
Spells commencing in the period Incapacity Benefit Severe Disablement Allowance 13 April 1995–31 March 1996 320,700 19,900 1 April 1996–31 March 1997 329,800 19,500 1 April 1997–31 March 1998 325,100 14,200 Note:
Figures are taken from a 1 per cent. sample of claimants