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Dept of Social Security

Answer

Mr. Wigley: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to encourage the take up of (a) housing benefit, (b) income support, (c) family credit and (d) council tax benefits. [61472] Angela Eagle: We want all those who are entitled to benefits to claim them, and we are taking action to encourage them to do so. All local authorities are under a Statutory duty to publicise and promote maximum take-up of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. This Department provides guidance and advice to authorities to help them maximise the effectiveness of take-up campaigns and we will continue to do so. Take-up rates for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are already consistently high. We have recently completed research into why some pensioners do not claim their Income Support entitlement, and a series of pilots to test ways of identifying them and encouraging them to claim. We are currently evaluating the results before deciding how best to proceed. From June to August 1998 we conducted a national advertising campaign to encourage take up of working benefits including Family Credit. This included advertising on television, radio and in women's magazines. Additionally, all lone parents whose children are over 5 years old are now invited for interviews and advised as to the availability of working benefits and provided with any help needed to claim their entitlement. These initiatives supplement the ongoing provision of information leaflets and advice through the Family Credit helpline.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

321 c272W; 61472

Session

1998-99

Subjects

Council tax benefits Housing benefit Income support Family credit Social security benefits Take-up