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Dept of Social Security

Answer

Mr. Rendel: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 4 November 1998, Official Report, column 603, in how many cases new claimants for incapacity benefit have claims remaining to be processed, or have been referred to income support, as a result of the problems with the implementation of NIRS2; and when those claimants will be given correct payments of incapacity benefit. [59297] Mr. Timms: [holding answer 11 November 1998]: 95 per cent. of Incapacity Benefit claims received since 19 June 1998 have been processed normally by obtaining the contributions information from other sources. The remainder are either awaiting processing as normal or have been referred to Income Support. It is estimated that approximately 8,000 claimants have been referred to Income Support because the contributions information could not be obtained from other sources. These claimants will have their Incapacity Benefit claims reviewed as soon as the NIRS2 system is available. It is planned that all new claims to Incapacity Benefit should be processed through NIRS2 from 18 November.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

319 c499W; 59297

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Databases Applications Software Computers Administrative delays Incapacity benefit National insurance Recipients Social security benefits Social Security Contributions Agency

Contains statistics

Yes