Tolley's Social Security and State Benefits

Fundamental changes to the social security system take effect in April 2002. This guide has been updated to reflect these changes, and aims to give comprehensive coverage of all social security and state benefit issues, with a user-friendly layout. It includes tables, key facts and figures.

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Fundamental changes to the social security system are due to take effect in April 2002. The Government is committed to reforming the welfare system. Two new Government departments - the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Education and Skills - will bring to bear great change in social security access and procedure. This edition of the guide has been updated to reflect these changes, and covers the major changes in Child Support and Benefit assessment and Incapacity Benefit, the new State Second Pension (S2P) designed to supplement SERPs in certain cases, the new Widowed Parents Allowance, the Social Security Fraud Act 2001 - which increases powers of authorised benefit officers by allowing access to banks, financial sector institutions, and credit reference agencies where there is suspicion of benefit fraud - the new avenue of appeal for Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit claims, the introduction of 'Jobcentre Plus', changes to other benefits, and new benefit rates for 2002/3. This edition aims to provide comprehensive coverage of all social security and state benefit issues, with a user-friendly layout. It includes tables, key facts and figures.