§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of newly eligible men who made a successful claim for the 2000–01 Winter Fuel Payment by 30 March. [157055]
§ Mr. RookerThe administration of benefits is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, Alexis Cleveland. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 23 April 2001:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he will estimate the number of newly eligible men who made a successful claim for the 2001–01 winter fuel payment by 30th March.Current records show that we have received over 1 million claims in respect of winter 2000 from men of which around 12,000 were unsuccessful, in the first instance. If a customer feels that the decision on their claim is incorrect they can ask for it to be looked at again. We do not hold statistics on successful claims following such reconsiderations.Information regarding claims received between 8 March and 30 March is not currently available in the format required.I hope this is helpful.