Written question asked by Simon Thomas (Plaid Cymru) on Tuesday, 27 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 10 April 2001. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 April 2001 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security;Social Security Benefits Agency

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what the average length of time is from the receipt of application for back-dated winter fuel allowance to be paid. - Including text of letter from Alexis Cleveland of Benefits Agency.

Answer: Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the average length of time is from the receipt of application for back-dated winter fuel allowance to be paid. [156343] Mr. Rooker: This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member. Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Simon Thomas, dated 10 April 2001: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the average length of time is from the receipt of application for backdated winter fuel allowance to be paid. The average length of time taken to process a backdated claim from date of receipt to date of payment is not available. However, I can inform you that over 90% of claims for the financial years 1997/98, 1998/99 and 1999/00 have been processed without the need for further investigation. In these circumstances claims are paid within five weeks of receiving the application form. The remaining claims require further investigation and inevitably take longer to clear. Where only minimal investigation is required, claims may still be paid in five weeks. I hope this is helpful.

Secondary information