§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) inquiries and (b) complaints have been received from people aged 60 years and over who have been incorrectly assessed as living with another person over 60 years for the purpose of assessing eligibility to the Winter Fuel Payment in each year since 1997. [146359]
§ Mr. RookerThe administration of Winter Fuel Payments is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. David Willetts, dated 8 February 2001:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent parliamentary question about how many (a) inquiries and (b) complaints have been received from people aged 60 years and over who have been incorrectly assessed as living with another person over 60 years for the purpose of assessing eligibility to the Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) in each year since 1997.Both the Winter Fuel Helpline and benefit offices have dealt with calls from customers about WFP. The exact nature of each call is not recorded, therefore, information on the number of inquiries and complaints received about an assessment as living with another person over 60 years is not available.I hope this reply is helpful.