The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1983-1987 Parliament

Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on the Invalid Care Allowance – 5 December 1986

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Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on the Invalid Care Allowance on 5th December 1986.

Mr. Frank Field Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much claims are being backdated following the change in the rules for invalid care allowance after the European Court ruling.

Mr. Major Claims may be backdated for up to 12 months before the date on which the claim is actually made, subject to the statutory authorities being satisfied that the conditions were met throughout the period and that there is good cause for delay in claiming. Claims from married and cohabiting women may be backdated to 22 December 1984 subject to the conditions being satisfied. This will apply to claims from married and cohabiting women received by 31 December 1986. After that date the 12-month limitation on backdating will apply to all claimants. Statistics are not available of the amount of backdating in individual cases.
Mr. Frank Field Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to have completed the review of all claims for invalid care allowance currently pending, following the decision in the European Court.

Mr. Major Experience with cases so far processed – and particularly the extended time needed to obtain replies to inquiries about backdated claims – indicates that all claims currently pending will be proceed by March.

Mr. Frank Field Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications for invalid care allowance are currently awaiting a decision.

Mr. Major At 21 November 1986, the latest date for which information is available, 65,767 from married women; 10,380 from men and single women.

Mr. Frank Field Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claims for back payment of invalid care allowance, following the European Court decision, have now been processed and are being paid.

Mr. Major I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) on 3 December at column 701.

Mr. Frank Field Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will detail the number of telephone inquiries to the Preston office received for each week since he announced his revision of eligibility for the invalid care allowance; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Major Records of the number of telephone inquiries received are not kept routinely. The available information relates to the period from 19 November to 2 December only. During this period, a total of 1,969 telephone calls were received by the ICA unit at Preston, Lancs.