To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the time threshold is for the payment of compensation in recognition of undue delay in processing (a) attendance allowance, (b) attendance allowance (special rules), (c) attendance allowance (renewals), (d) bereavement benefit, (e) child benefit, (f) disability living allowance, (g) disability living allowance (special rules), (h) incapacity benefit, (i) income support, (j) invalidity benefit, (k) jobseeker's allowance (contributory), (l) jobseekers allowance (income based), (m) maternity allowance, (n) sickness benefit, (o) social fund community care grants and budgeting loans, (p) social fund (funeral) payments, (q) social fund (maternity) payments, (r) unemployment benefit, (s) widows benefit and (t) widows payment; [115506](2) in how many cases where there has been a delay in processing benefits that does not breach the indicator of delay compensation has compensation been paid in each year since 1997, broken down by benefit category. [115508]
Financial redress for maladministration can be considered when the payment of benefit is unreasonably and exceptionally delayed due to official error and the indicator of delay has been breached for that benefit. The information requested on indicators of delay is in the table.Financial redress for delays in the payment of benefit cannot be considered unless the relevant indicator is breached. Information is not, therefore, available in cases where the relevant indicator has not been breached.
Financial redress for maladministration—indicators of delay in the payment of benefit | |
Benefit | Length of delay (Months) |
Attendance Allowances (including renewals) | 7 |
Attendance Allowances (Special Rules) | 2 |
Bereavement Allowance | 4 |
Bereavement Payment | 2 |
Child Benefit | 4 |
Disability Living Allowance | 7 |
Disability Living Allowance (Special Rules) | 2 |
Incapacity Benefit | 4 |
Income Support | 2 |
Invalidity Benefit | 4 |
Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-based and contributory) | 3 |
Maternity Allowance | 5 |
Sickness Benefit | 4 |
Social Fund Community Care Grants and Budgeting Loans | 3 |
Social Fund Funeral Payments | 5 |
Social Fund Sure Start Maternity Grants | 3 |
Unemployment Benefit | 2 |
Widowed Parents Allowance | 4 |
Widows Benefit | 4 |
Widows Payment | 2 |
Notes: | |
1. Incapacity benefit replaced invalidity benefit and sickness benefit from April 1995. | |
2. Jobseeker's allowance replaced unemployment benefit from October 1996. | |
3. Bereavement benefits replaced widows payments and widows benefit (for new claims) from April 2001. | |
4. The Inland Revenue took over the administration of child benefit from April 2003. |