§ Mr. Ron Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will consider making the Christmas bonus of £10 available to widows not in receipt of a widow's pension and who are on supplementary benefit: and if she will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Alec JonesThe amounts were as follows:
§ Mr. Alec JonesA widow who is receiving supplementary benefit is entitled to the bonus if she is 60 or over; but it has not been possible to extend the bonus payments to widows under pension age who received only supplementary benefit because of the administrative difficulties involved. However, the great majority of widows under 60 are receiving a widow's benefit and will therefore be entitled to the bonus.