To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether benefit payment systems are able to record total benefits received by (a) individuals and (b) households. (246684)

The Department has a number of systems which are used in the administration of the various benefits for which it is responsible. Where appropriate, officials can establish which benefits are paid to an individual or their dependants and at what rate. However, information is not recorded by household.

Additionally, housing benefit and council tax benefit are administered by over 400 local authorities, each of which is responsible for its own systems. Arrangements are in place that allow officials to establish the amount of local authority administered benefits in payment to an individual where there is a legitimate reason to do so.