Social Security Benefits

Work and Pensions written question – answered at on 15 November 2010.

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Photo of Jim Cunningham Jim Cunningham Labour, Coventry South

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to encourage people to take up their benefit entitlements.

Photo of Steve Webb Steve Webb The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions

The latest estimates of take-up of all income-related benefits in 2008-09 were published in June 2010. The figures show that there was £38.1 billion claimed across all income related benefits representing between around 75% and 85% take-up by expenditure. The take-up report is available on line at:

http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=irb_2

We want to make sure that everyone is getting all of the help that they are entitled to which is why the Department makes information available in various locations including doctors' surgeries, welfare rights groups and Jobcentre Plus offices to ensure that people are aware of the benefits to which they may be entitled and how to claim them. Information on benefits is also available on the Department's website:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm

With the introduction of universal credit from October 2013, which will replace six working age means tested benefits; people will be better placed to find out what benefits they can get.

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