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In a message dated 03/05/2000 12:25:32 GMT Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: << The local authority I work for has recently set up a team to aid identification of individuals that are entitled to but not currently claiming welfare benefit (income support, disability living allowance, attendance allowance). >> Many individuals are likely to benefit from this exercise but your presumption is that they do not know about the benefits or their entitlement. This may not be the case. Consider for a moment an individual who does not wish to be considered disabled, or someone who wishes to avoid the stigma attached to claiming means-tested benefits. This person may object to their information being used for purposes other than those to which they have consented (i.e. they claimed for an invisible benefit such as HB or CTB). Maybe other councils have done it and got away with it, maybe in Sweden people do not have the same attitiude to social services and benefits. Maybe if you did do it in this way nobody would object as everyone would be a winner. You should remember that you are in a monopoly supplier situation (people can't go anywhere else for housing benefit) and so secondary use of the data should be done only when you are absolutely certain it is fair, lawful and compatible with the purposes stated. How about the following as a course of action? 1) Advise ALL benefits recipients that they MAY be entitled to further help from the council or DSS; 2) Ask all interested claimants to complete a form giving you consent to process their housing benefit data for this secondary use; 3) Of those that have consented, check whether any of them would qualify for the extra benefits and send them the appropriate forms; 4) Change your HB forms to ask future claimants whether they would like you to check their entitlement to other state benefits. Ian Buckland MD Keep IT Legal Ltd Please Note: The information contained in this document does not replace or negate the need for proper legal advice and/or representation. It is essential that you do not rely upon any advice given without contacting your solicitor. If you need further explanation of any points raised please contact Keep I.T. Legal Ltd at the address below: 55 Curbar Curve Inkersall, Chesterfield Derbyshire S43 3HP (Reg 3822335) Tel: 01246 473999 Fax: 01246 470742 E-mail: [log in to unmask] %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%