Written question asked by Neil Turner (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 October 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 October 2009. It was answered by Jonathan Shaw (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 October 2009 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are in receipt of benefits as a result of a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis; and what information her Department holds on the medical conditions of such benefit claimants.

Answer: [holding answer 26 October 2009]: Benefits are not paid to customers as a result of a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalitis. Entitlement is based on the disablement that results from it and the effects of that disablement.The Department holds case specific information on the medical conditions of people who have made claims on the basis of a disability or illness. The information can be gathered from a number of different sources including the claimant, health care professionals involved in their care and departmental medical advisers.Decision makers consider all the available evidence before deciding on entitlement to benefit.

Secondary information