§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what powers social fund officers have to make payments by means of food vouchers; and what guidance they have received on the use of such powers.
§ Mr. Peter LloydSocial fund officers are empowered by section 33(1A) of the Social Security Act 1986 (as amended by the Social Security Act 1988, schedule 3, paragraph 10) to make social fund payments in the form of vouchers.
Guidance on the issue of vouchers is contained in the social fund manual, a copy of which is in the Library.