§ 28. Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to speed up the payment of benefits to claimants in Norwich. [107216]
§ Angela EagleWe have no specific plans to speed up the payment of benefit to claimants in Norwich. The Benefits Agency has published targets for the clearance of benefits and every effort is made to clear claims within that period. There are, however, always a number of cases where further investigation is required and payment of the full rate of benefit cannot be made from the date of entitlement.
Published clearance targets for claims to contributory benefits are as follows:
Retirement Pension—60 daysIncapacity Benefit—30 daysJob Seekers Allowance—21 days