Benefits (Hansard, 11 December 1981)

§ Mr. Rossi

Further to my reply of 23 November last—[Vol. 13, c.309]—I am now able to give the following information:

The following table shows the availability of family benefits in relation to

a widowed mother, whose late husband's contributions have given her title to a widowed mother's allowance; and
any other lone parent, whether a man or a woman, who is entirely dependant on non-contributory and means-tested benefits.

The difference in the total amounts of cash benefit received by the two families would depend on many factors. The figures given in the table illustrate only the hypothetical situations described in the assumptions on which they have been based and in the notes below the table. The assumptions are that

neither family has any earning or other income or capital; the children in each family are aged 5, 8 and 12; and each family has to pay rent and rates amounting to about £16 a week.

518W

Family Benefits for which Widowed Mothers and other Lone Parents with three children aged 5, 8 and 12 may qualify
Benefit	Widow entitled to widowed mother's allowance	Other lone parents dependent on supplementary benefit
Widowed mother's allowance	£52.70 (standard rate)	No entitlement
Child benefit	£15.75	£15.75
One parent benefit	No entitlement where widowed mother's allowance in payment	£3.30
Supplementary benefit	Would not qualify	^*£47.90
Total	†£68.45	^*£66.95
^* Includes housing costs.
† Excludes housing rebates.

NOTES:

Widowed mother's allowance The figure shown, £52.70, is the standard rate payable on a full contribution record. Less than the standard rate would be payable if the late husband's contribution record were deficient. Earning-related pension can be paid on top of a widowed mother's allowance. The level would also depend on the husband's record.

Supplementary benefit Any person not in full-time work, whose income is insufficient for his or her needs, may be entitled to supplementary benefit. In calculating the amount of any supplementary benefit payable, most income, including widowed mother's allowance, child benefit and one-parent benefit, is taken fully into account. A family's needs are calculated by adding together

the appropriate scale rates. The rates for children vary according to the age band in which they fall;
an addition for housing costs—for example, the rent and rates payable; and
any addition for special needs, such as extra help with heating costs, diets etc.

Thus the supplementary benefit figure of £47.90 shown in the table is the difference between the sums of

the short-term scale rates for a lone parent householder, with three children aged 5, 8 and 12, plus housing costs of £16; and the child benefit of £15.75 and one parent benefit of £3.30.

The long-term scale rates would be £6.35 higher in total than the short-term scale rates.

Other means-tested benefits

All recipients of supplementary benefits are automatically entitled to free welfare foods for children under age 5, free school meals for schoolchildren, free prescriptions and help with other National Health Service charges.
Other families may be entitled to free welfare foods, free prescriptions and help with other National Health Service charges. In general, it would depend on their level of income and on their particular needs. Low income families in most local education authority areas in England may be entitled to free school meals.
Rent rebates, rent allowances and rates rebates may be available to those not in receipt of supplementary benefit but whose income is low in relation to their rent and/or rates.
A widowed mother in the circumstances shown in the table, including the receipt of a widowed mother's allowance at the standard rate of £52.70, would be likely to be entitled to housing rebates of around £15, the precise amount depending on the make-up of her housing costs.