[Author ID1: at Thu Aug 14 09:31:00 2008 ]
[Author ID1: at Thu Aug 14 09:31:00 2008 ]

[Author ID1: at Thu Aug 14 09:31:00 2008 ]Ann Brown

(by e-mail)

18^th August 2008

Dear Ann

Freedom of Information Request No 705 (2008)

I am writing to confirm that I am now in a position to reply to your request for information about European Union benefit recipients, namely:

Your request was received on 12th July 2008.

The paying of benefits to EU citizens who meet the qualifying conditions for each individual benefit, is part of the reciprocal arrangement with other EU countries, where UK citizens resident in an EU country, have the same rights to claim benefits in that country.

a. How many EU individuals have received benefits who have been in the country for less than the 12 month waiting period.

We are not able to provide information on the amount of benefits paid to EU nationals. The country of origin or nationality at birth of benefit claimants is not recorded on the data extracts from our administrative systems which are available for analysis because those details are not required for normal administration of the benefit.

b. How many EU students receive Housing Benefits. and

g. How many EU citizens are receiving Housing Benefits in the London Boroughs.

Housing Benefits are administered by Local Authorities, and although we receive summary statistics and some detailed information from them, this does not include information on the nationality of the claimants or rejected claims.

c. How many British students received similar benefits in EU countries.

We are not able to provide information on the number of British students who received benefits in EU countries.

d. How many EU (non British) refugees, receive benefits.

Information on migrants from the A8 countries which joined the European Union in May 2004 can be found in the Home Office's Accession Monitoring report. The report for May 2004 - March 2008 is published on the UK Border Agency external website at:

http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/reports/accession_monitoring_report/

However this publication does not provide specific information for refugees, or, for other EU citizens.

e. How many EU citizens received benefits who have not paid taxes to HM treasury.

The benefit system is split into contributory and non-contributory benefits, contributory benefits only being paid to those who have built up sufficient National Insurance contributions, either through working or by making voluntary contributions. Therefore, by definition, someone who has not contributed to our society in some way cannot receive contributory benefits. Non-contributory benefits provide a safety net for those who meet the qualifying conditions, for example in the case of Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, have savings under the specified limit, are actively seeking and are available for work.

Tax information is administered by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). You can find out how to submit questions to HMRC by going to their website at:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/foi.htm

f. How many EU passports have you checked for and how many have been fraudulent.

DWP do not hold this information. I suggest that you contact the Home Office. You can find out how to submit questions by going to their website at:

www.homeoffice.gov.uk

However anyone making a claim for benefit must provide verifiable identification that can prove their identity. This evidence can include passports, birth certificates, marriage, adoption or civil partnership certificates. Where our staff have doubts over the ID provided, further checks are carried out and may be passed to the appropriate authorities.

If you are still not content with the outcome of the internal review you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner to look into the way your request has been handled. Please note that generally the Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have first exhausted DWP's own complaints procedure. The Commissioner can be contacted at:

FoI Complaints Resolution

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Fax: 01625 545 510

email:[email address]

Yours sincerely

Carol Jenkinson

Client Statistics - Ad Hocs Team

Information Directorate

Department for Work and Pensions

Tel: 0191 2166138

Email: [email address]

Information Directorate

Statistical Services

Our address Room BP5201

Benton Park View

Longbenton

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

NE98 1ZZ