§ Sir Ian GilmourTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if low-income families with children who apply for housing benefit are assumed to be receiving family credit.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe housing benefit regulations allow a source of income that would be available to a claimant if he or she were to apply for it to be taken into account as a notional source of income. Family credit will be assumed to be in payment to a housing benefit claimant from a date that allows time for a claim to be determined but only where the claimant appears to meet all the conditions for family credit yet has not claimed it. The applicant will be informed accordingly. In cases where family credit has already been claimed it will not be taken into account until actually received.