§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will amend social security arrangements to allow for income support to be paid in advance to the individual and to make it easier for social fund loans and grants to be paid in advance to the landlord.
§ Miss WiddecombeWe have no plans to amend the payment of income support in arrears to claimants under pension age. Those over pension age are paid income support in advance. We consider that these arrangements are sensible because they are in line with the way wages and other benefits are paid. Anyone who is unable to manage until their first payday may apply for a crisis loan from the social fund.
Loans are available from the social fund to pay for rent in advance. Whether such payments are made direct to the landlord is at the discretion of the local office.