§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what benefits are available from the Department of Health and Social Services to farmers who have no income for varying periods of time as a result of having exceeded their allocated milk quotas.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 7 June 1988]: Farmers who work at least 24 hours a week on average may be eligible for family credit provided that they have at least one dependent child. Income support may be payable to those who work for less than 24 hours on average. Housing benefit may also be available to farmers, regardless of the number of hours worked, and they may be eligible for help with, for example, prescription and other Health Service charges. Social fund crisis loans may be considered for immediate short-term needs in an emergency where a loan is the only means of avoiding serious damage or serious risk to the health or safety of the applicant or a member of the family.