HC Deb 22 October 1979 vol 972 c94W
Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why there is a five-year waiting period for single parents before they may receive long-term Department of Health and Social Security benefit; and if he will substantially reduce or abolish this waiting period.

Mrs. Chalker

The long-term scale applies to all supplementary benefit claimants under pension age, except the unemployed, after they have received such benefit for two years.