§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints the Benefits Agency has received about the application process for income support benefits available for home improvement. [129873]
§ Mr. PondRepresentations are dealt with by Jobcentre Plus and The Pensions Service on an individual basis with regard to the circumstance of each case. It is not possible to identify how many are specifically about the application process for income support benefits for home improvement.
§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what steps he is taking to improve the response time to applications for income support contributions for home improvements. [129875]
(2) what targets have been set for the processing of MI12 forms in the Benefits Agency; and what penalties there are if the Agency does not meet these. [129876]
§ Mr. PondWe have not set specific, separate targets for the clearance of MI12 forms. As form MI12 is actioned after the initial claim to benefit has been processed it is treated as a change of circumstance. As part of the Key Management Indicators for Jobseeker's Allowance and Income Support clearance targets for changes of circumstances are currently set at four days.