§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the support his Department offers to widowers of working age with young families in the immediate bereavement period and later.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThere are a wide range of social security benefits available to widowers of working age with young families. In addition to child benefit and one-parent benefit many widowers continue in employment in the period after bereavement and depending on their level of income can receive family credit and housing benefit. Widowers who are not employed can, depending on their circumstances, receive income support, housing benefit and community charge benefit.