Written question asked by Paul Marsden (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 23 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 June 2003. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Monday, 30 June 2003 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of pensioners in (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire who were eligible for the minimum income guarantee but did not claim it in the last year for which figures are available; how many pensioners did not claim their full level of entitlements in (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire in each year since 1997. - Includes ref to "Income-Related Benefits - Estimates of Take Up in 2000/2001, copies in Library.

Answer: Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what estimate he has made of the number of pensioners in (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire who were eligible for the minimum income guarantee but did not claim it in the last year for which figures are available; [121725] (2) how many pensioners did not claim their full level of entitlements in (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire in each year since 1997. [121739] Malcolm Wicks: Estimates of the number of pensioners eligible for, but not claiming the Minimum Income Guarantee, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are not available below national level. These figures are included in the publication "Income-Related Benefits--Estimates of Take Up in 2000/2001, copies of which are available in the library. There is no reliable current estimate of the level of take-up of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Attendance Allowance (AA) and an accurate estimate cannot be made because entitlement to the benefits is not based on diagnosis but on the care and mobility needs arising from disability which can vary widely between individuals. Take up estimates for Carers Allowance could only be produced at disproportionate cost. Information about the number of people who may be entitled to a State Pension but have not claimed it is not available.

Secondary information