Social Security Benefits

Justice written question – answered am ar 17 Gorffennaf 2013.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Alison McGovern Alison McGovern Opposition Whip (Commons)

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the decision that benefit appeals cases should be sent directly to HM Courts and Tribunal Service on waiting times for decisions on such appeals.

Photo of Helen Grant Helen Grant The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Women and Equalities

The First-tier TribunalSocial Security and Child Support (SSCS), administered by HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), hears appeals against Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) decisions on a range of benefits.

The phased introduction of direct lodgement of appeals against decisions made by the DWP to the SSCS tribunal (rather than to DWP) began with effect from 22 April 2013. Since that date, appeals against decisions made about the personal independence payment (PIP) (which replaces disability living allowance (DLA)) are to be made direct to the Tribunal's national lodgement centre. This will be extended to appeals against all other decisions about DWP-administered benefits from October 2013.

Direct lodgement will not, of itself, affect waiting times; it simply means that appeals will be lodged with the tribunal rather than with the other party to the appeal. However, direct lodgement is one of a range of initiatives through which HMCTS and DWP are working closely together to improve the process for decision-making and appeals.

In April 2013 DWP introduced mandatory reconsideration of decisions made on claims for universal credit and PIP, which will be extended to all other DWP administered benefits and child maintenance cases from October 2013. The mandatory reconsideration process results in a linear, escalating process for claimants wishing to dispute decisions. The decision maker will contact the claimant to provide an explanation of the decision under dispute and encourage the claimant to provide any additional information or evidence that may change the decision. This will ensure DWP has an opportunity to resolve disputes at an early stage.

The number of appeals received by the SSCS tribunal nationally has risen significantly: from 339,200 in 2009-10 to 507,100 in 2012-13 (an increase of 49%). In addition to local initiatives, such as identifying additional hearing venues across HMCTS estate, and increasing the use of Saturday sessions, HMCTS continues to respond strongly at a national level to continue to increase the capacity of the SSCS tribunal and reduce waiting times. Measures in place include ongoing recruitment of additional judges and medically qualified members, and the review and continuous improvement of administrative processes both internally and between HMCTS and DWP. All of this is having a positive effect. The total number of disposals has increased significantly: from 279,000 in 2009-10 to 465,500 in 2012-13 (an increase of 66%).

The average waiting time has fallen nationally from 23 weeks in 2011-12 to 18 weeks in 2012-13.

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