Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 20 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 June 2003. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 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 assessment has been made of the numbers of claimants who experienced a delay in claiming benefits in the last 12 months because the nature of their incapacity prevented them from claiming; and how long the average delay was. - Includes fact that information is not available.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment has been made of the numbers of claimants who experienced a delay in claiming benefits in the last 12 months because the nature of their incapacity prevented them from claiming; and how long the average delay was. [115520] Malcolm Wicks: The information is not available. A person has. up to three months following the date they become eligible for incapacity benefit in which to make a claim. In addition, claims for Income Support can be backdated for up to three months if the person making the claim is ill or disabled and it has not been reasonably practicable to obtain help in making the claim earlier.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 115520; 406 c381W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Disability Applications Benefits rules Administrative delays Income support Eligibility Incapacity benefit Social security benefits Time limits
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk