{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Work+and+Pensions&max-ddpCreated=2019-09-04T21%3A37%3A28.720Z&tablingMemberConstituency=Birmingham%2C+Selly+Oak", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Work+and+Pensions&max-ddpCreated=2019-09-04T21%3A37%3A28.720Z&tablingMemberConstituency=Birmingham%2C+Selly+Oak", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Work+and+Pensions&max-ddpCreated=2019-09-04T21%3A37%3A28.720Z&tablingMemberConstituency=Birmingham%2C+Selly+Oak&_metadata=all", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Work+and+Pensions&_page=0&max-ddpCreated=2019-09-04T21%3A37%3A28.720Z&tablingMemberConstituency=Birmingham%2C+Selly+Oak", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Work+and+Pensions&max-ddpCreated=2019-09-04T21%3A37%3A28.720Z&tablingMemberConstituency=Birmingham%2C+Selly+Oak", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Work+and+Pensions&max-ddpCreated=2019-09-04T21%3A37%3A28.720Z&tablingMemberConstituency=Birmingham%2C+Selly+Oak", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1144793", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1144793/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>A claimant\u2019s Universal Credit award will reflect individual circumstances, topping up any earnings or other income that they may have, so Universal Credit may constitute only a proportion of their total income.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Our deductions policy is designed to protect vulnerable claimants by providing a last resort method for arrears of essential services which might otherwise result in those services being cut off, or being evicted from their home. Under Universal Credit there is a structured approach to deductions from benefit, which simplifies the current complex arrangements of the legacy system. This policy also enables social obligations to be enforced when other repayment methods have failed or are not cost effective.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>If a claimant is in financial difficulty as a result of the level of deductions being made they can contact the Department to request that a reduction in deductions be considered. Any adjustment to the rate of repayment will be based on the individual circumstances of the claimant. To support this intention, from October 2019 we are reducing the maximum rate of deductions to 30 per cent and from October 2021 we are increasing the maximum recovery period for advances from 12 to 16 months.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4423", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Will Quince"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Colchester"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Will Quince"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-09T15:54:55.073Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Universal Credit"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons her Department has decided that a 30 per cent deduction from a universal credit claimant\u2019s standard allowance prevents those claimants from being exposed to excessive financial hardship.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/298", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve McCabe"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Selly Oak"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve McCabe"}
      ], "uin" : "286621"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1144794", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1144794/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The data supplied in answer to Question 254731 used May 2019 figures. This showed that of the 264,500 with an advance repayment more than 12 months old, 83,500 were aged over 40 years old, and 49,500 (59%) of those were male, and 34,000 (41%) were female. We would expect there to be a difference in the advances outstanding over 12 months\u2019 figures, although the gender split in the original table is more pronounced.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>We have no evidence to explain this greater gender difference in outstanding advances over 12 months old.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>All data used in researching this response has been sourced from internal management information. It offers a snapshot in time and cannot be compared to any other, similar data released by the Department<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4423", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Will Quince"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Colchester"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Will Quince"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-09T16:07:44.95Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Universal Credit"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 20 June 2019 to Question 254731 on Universal Credit, for what reason there is a difference between the number of men and women that have been unable to repay their advance within 12 monthly instalments narrows for those aged 40 years old and over.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/298", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve McCabe"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Selly Oak"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve McCabe"}
      ], "uin" : "286622"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1144796", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1144796/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4423", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Will Quince"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Colchester"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Will Quince"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-09T13:38:08.98Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Universal Credit"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information her Department holds on reductions to deductions for claimants of universal credit in latest period for which data is available.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/298", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve McCabe"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Selly Oak"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve McCabe"}
      ], "uin" : "286623"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1144797", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1144797/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4423", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Will Quince"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Colchester"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Will Quince"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-09T16:36:31.147Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Universal Credit"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants of universal credit received a (a) budgeting loan and (b) deferral period in the latest period for which data is available.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/298", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve McCabe"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Selly Oak"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve McCabe"}
      ], "uin" : "286624"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1144839", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1144839/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Department has not made an assessment of this nature, as any change in rent arrears is not solely attributed to Universal Credit.<\/p><p>The initial analytical work we have carried out with a single housing provider suggests that many tenants are arriving on Universal Credit with pre-existing rent arrears, supporting research carried out by the National Federation of ALMOs which shows over three quarters of their tenants come onto Universal Credit with pre-existing rent arrears. It also shows that arrears tend to increase prior to making a claim for Universal Credit, and that Universal Credit actually appears to be helping to clear arrears over time. We are currently extending this analysis to include a number of housing providers. It will be published when completed.<\/p><p>We have responded to concerns in this area by putting a number of safeguards in place \u2013 100 per cent advances repayable over 12 months, increasing to 16 months in October 2021; a two-week transition to Universal Credit Housing Payment; a new Help to Claim service; and Managed Payment to Landlord Arrangements, which allow for payments direct to the landlord if the tenant is likely to have difficulty in managing their rent payments, is unlikely to pay their rent or is in rent arrears equivalent to two months.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4423", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Will Quince"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Colchester"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Will Quince"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-09T15:57:55.247Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Universal Credit"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the number of people in rent arrears since the roll-out of universal credit.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/298", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve McCabe"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Selly Oak"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve McCabe"}
      ], "uin" : "286626"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1144840", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1144840/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4142", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Guy Opperman"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hexham"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Guy Opperman"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-09T16:04:34.817Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Money and Pensions: Advisory Services"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much funding was provided to (a) the Money Advice Service, (b) the Pensions Advisory Service and (c) Pension Wise in each of the five years up to and including 2018.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/298", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve McCabe"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Selly Oak"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve McCabe"}
      ], "uin" : "286627"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1144841", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1144841/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4142", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Guy Opperman"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hexham"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Guy Opperman"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-09T16:05:16.82Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Money and Pensions Service: Finance"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much funding the Money and Pension Service will receive in 2019.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/298", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve McCabe"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Selly Oak"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve McCabe"}
      ], "uin" : "286628"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1143537", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1143537/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Personal Independence Payment assessment is not a medical assessment and there is no requirement for the Health Professional to diagnose a condition and recommend treatment options. Health Professionals are trained to be experts in disability analysis and to assess how a disability or syndrome affects the functional capability of each individual claimant. Whilst there is no specific training relating to post-polio syndrome, all Health Professionals have access to a range of resources, including relevant training on specific impairments, including those that are mental, intellectual and cognitive, as well as experienced clinicians to support them in assessing claimants with conditions that they may not be familiar with.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4105", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Justin Tomlinson"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Swindon"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Justin Tomlinson"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "284945"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-06T11:05:40.76Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Personal Independence Payment: Post-polio Syndrome"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether personal independence payment assessors receive training on the symptoms of post-polio syndrome so that they are able to identify the complex symptoms experienced by claimants with that syndrome.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/298", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve McCabe"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Selly Oak"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve McCabe"}
      ], "uin" : "285189"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1143538", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1143538/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Personal Independence Payment assessment is not a medical assessment and there is no requirement for the Health Professional to diagnose a condition and recommend treatment options. Health Professionals are trained to be experts in disability analysis and to assess how a disability or syndrome affects the functional capability of each individual claimant. Whilst there is no specific training relating to post-polio syndrome, all Health Professionals have access to a range of resources, including relevant training on specific impairments, including those that are mental, intellectual and cognitive, as well as experienced clinicians to support them in assessing claimants with conditions that they may not be familiar with.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4105", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Justin Tomlinson"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Swindon"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Justin Tomlinson"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "285189"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-06T11:05:40.713Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Personal Independence Payment: Post-polio Syndrome"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether personal independence payment assessments are adjusted to take account of the symptoms experienced by claimants diagnosed with post-polio syndrome.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/298", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve McCabe"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Selly Oak"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve McCabe"}
      ], "uin" : "284945"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1143562", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1143562/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>It is important to highlight that there are over 1.6 million people already claiming some £5.4 billion in Pension Credit but the Government wants to ensure that <em>all<\/em> pensioners eligible can claim the Pension Credit to which they are rightly entitled.<\/p><p>On a national basis the DWP targets activity on engaging with people who may be eligible to benefits at pivotal stages, such as when they claim State Pension or report a change in their circumstances. The DWP uses a wide range of channels to communicate information about benefits to potential customers; including information on <a href=\"https://gov.uk/\" target=\"_blank\">https://gov.uk/<\/a>, in leaflets and by telephone. DWP staff in Pension Centres and Jobcentres including visiting officers are able to provide help and advice about entitlement to benefits, as are staff in Local Authorities who administer Housing Benefit.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Potential customers can use the Pension Credit <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator<\/a> to check if they are likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they may receive. People wishing to claim Pension Credit can do so by calling the Freephone number 0800 99 1234.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>One of the best ways to reach eligible customers is through trusted stakeholder working in the community and we have developed the Pension Credit toolkit, as an on-line tool for agencies and welfare rights organisations to use in order to encourage Pension Credit take-up. It can be found at: <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit<\/a><\/p><p> <\/p><p>The toolkit contains resources for anyone working with pensioners and includes guides to Pension Credit. It also contains publicity material and guidance designed to help older people understand how they could get Pension Credit and help organisations support someone applying for Pension Credit as well as ideas for encouraging take-up. The toolkit also provides links to information about disability and carers benefits.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Most recently we have provided to relevant stakeholders a fact sheet about Pension Credit and the changes introduced on 15 May for mixed age couples to ensure that accurate information is available in the places where people are most likely to seek information.<\/p>"}
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        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to increase the number of eligible pensioners claiming pension credit.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/298", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve McCabe"}
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