§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the passported benefits for(a) Guarantee Pensions Credit, (b) Savings Pension Credit and (c) Council Tax Benefit. [142658]
§ Malcolm WicksThe principal passported benefits for Pension Credit Guarantee Credit and Pension Credit Savings Credit are in the following table.
(b)have received and (c) are currently on a waiting list to receive a home visit from the Pension Service local service; and what the average waiting time is before a pensioner can expect to receive a visit. [143082]
§ Malcolm WicksThe Pension Service is primarily a telephony-based service delivered through a network of pension centres across the UK. However, for a variety of reasons, not all older people are able to conduct their business in this way and require either a home appointment or an appointment at a location convenient to them. These customers are referred to local service. During October 2003 (latest available statistics), 45,925 such customers were referred to local service from pension centres and 43,601 received home appointments.
There are no 'waiting lists'. The standard for local service is that customers will be offered a convenient home or surgery appointment within 10 working days. Latest available statistics show that this standard is being met in 96.1 per cent of cases. Home visits are sometimes postponed by the customer while relevant documents are obtained or to enable a relative to be present.