Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Supplementary Benefit – 11 November 1985

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Supplementary Benefit on 11th November 1985.

Mr. Nicholls Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps social security officers are obliged to take to establish the identity and address of claimants who present themselves for the payment of supplementary benefit.

Mr. Major Social security officers should be satisfied that details of identity and address provided by claimants in connection with a claim for supplementary benefit are correct. When they consider it necessary officers are able to ask claimants to provide documentary proof.

Mr. Nicholls Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what criteria adjudicating officers use in determining whether a person is available for work and therefore eligible for supplementary benefit.

Mr. Major A claimant for supplementary allowance is required to be available for work (unless he is in a category exempt by regulations from this requirement). In determining availability the adjudication officer takes into consideration whether the claimant is occupied or engaged in any activity which would prevent him from taking employment. In addition the adjudication officer must be satisfied that the claimant is not imposing such restrictions on the nature or other conditions of employment he is prepared to accept, that he has no reasonable prospects of obtaining work. If there is reason to doubt the claimant’s availability at any time during the currency of his claim, the adjudication officer may review the case.