§ 20. Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North)If he will make a statement on whether he will consider a further application by Miss H. McNulty for a social fund payment; and if a home visit will take place in this case. [79748]
§ The Parliamentary Under"Secretary of State for Social Security (Angela Eagle)An application for a social fund payment can be made at any time, but, in the case of a repeat application for either a community care grant or a crisis loan, a social fund officer cannot consider making an award for the same need unless more than 26 weeks have elapsed since the previous decision, or there has been a change in the applicant's circumstances.
In the case to which my hon. Friend refers, a home visit took place on 22 March.
§ Mr. WinnickIs my hon. Friend aware that I am far from satisfied about how this case has been processed? My constituent, a very elderly person who is virtually house-bound, should have been treated very differently, and the application should have been granted. As I understand the position, no home visit took place prior to the refusal of the application. May I ask my hon. Friend, 566 therefore, whether she will look further into this matter? I have already advised my constituent when she should make a further application.
§ Angela EagleI am quite happy to consider the situation further. I am aware of the case and it is not a surprise to me that my hon. Friend has such views, because he has not been backward in coming forward, if I may put it that way, to tell me about them. I do not want to discuss that case on the Floor of the House, but if he wants to see me, we can discuss it in more detail.