§ 22. Sir B. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware that pensioners claiming social security payment of a few shillings a week incur the loss of local council rent and rate rebates; and whether he will instruct his officials to draw this fact to the attention of those claiming such payments.
§ Mr. EnnalsAll officers concerned are instructed that where any rent or rate rebate is more advantageous than the supplementary benefit entitlement, they should advise tenants to apply for the appropriate rebate and forgo supplementary benefit.
§ Sir B. JannerIs my hon. Friend not aware of the fact that, apparently, there are some people who do not know about this, and would he ensure that it is made more public, because considerable hardship is inflicted on those who are placed in a serious position because of this anomaly?
§ Mr. EnnalsI am sorry to hear that this is not better known. Supplementary benefit officers are naturally aware of this themselves and they take steps to see that claimants for supplementary benefit have explained to them the consequences on both rent and rate rebates. But I will look again to see about the form of publicity.