HC Deb 28 May 2004 vol 422 c12W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to make available information about council tax benefit eligibility during pension credit assessments. [176226]

Malcolm Wicks

The Pension Service actively promotes awareness of council tax benefit. People who apply for pension credit using the telephone application line are advised that they might be able to receive help with their council tax and are asked whether they would like to be sent a form. Similar questions about council tax benefit are included in the paper application form for pension credit. The local service of the Pension Service promotes awareness at the local level and will help people fill in their council tax benefit claim form. We are considering how to streamline the process further and how the Pension Service can play a greater role in maximising pensioners' income through council tax benefit take-up.