AndyRichards
Senior Training Officer, Brighton and Hove City Council, Brighton
Member since
26th Jan 2004
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RE: proposed reduction of period of backdating to 3 months - consultation
Tue 09-Sep-08 10:56 AM |
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DWP has just issued a HB/CTB bulletin (G17/2008), part of which says -
"Change to backdating rules
5 Earlier this year, the Government announced a package of measures to streamline the process of administering benefit claims. Part of this package involves reducing the time for claiming Pension Credit and HB/CTB for those who have reached the qualifying age for Pension Credit from 12 months to three months with a corresponding reduction in the period for which claims to HB/CTB for customers of working age may be backdated from 52 weeks to three months.
6 Draft regulations to implement the package of changes were considered by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) which, after carrying out a public consultation on these proposals, recently reported its findings to Government.
7 The Government is currently considering SSAC's report. Subject to this consideration, it remains the intention to implement the regulations as presented to the Committee, including the changes to the backdating rules, so that the new rules would come into force from October this year.
8 However, it is not possible to confirm if, or to what extent, these measures will come into force until the Government has fully considered the SSAC report and has reached a final decision on implementing the changes. It is expected that the Government will make a formal response to the SSAC report later this month so that regulations can be laid before Parliament in September in order to bring any changes into force from October (subject to the usual parliamentary processes).
9 As for Pension Credit applications, it is important that you explain these changes to people claiming HB/CTB so that they are aware of the need to make their claims promptly. An operational circular explaining the details of changes to the backdating rules will be issued as soon as the final arrangements are known."
Interestingly, whilst it starts off by saying that the "whole package" is still being thought about, para 9 seems to separate off the Pension Credit change and portrays it as a done deal. One could also point out that just getting pensioners to "claim promptly" doesn't really mitigate the fact that they stand to lose up to 9 months of entitlement whenever they claim.
It has also been pointed out that 6 Oct looks impossible as that is roughly when Parliament comes back after the recess. Even if the changes only need a "nod", I believe that Parliament still needs to be in session and new regs "laid" before it. (Leaving aside that I reckon that backbenchers may make a fight out of this one).
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