§ Sir John HannamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people received help from the independent living fund during 1991–92; what was the average weekly amount awarded; and what was the total number of applications received during 1991–92, the percentage refused and reasons for refusal respectively.
§ Mr. ScottAt the end of March 1992 the independent living fund was paying 13,670 people. In addition, 1,132 people had ceased to receive payments during the year, giving a total of 14,802 people who received help from the fund during 1991–92.
The average weekly payment was £76 in April 1991 and rose to £95 at the end of March 1992.
The total number of applications received during 1991–92 was 16,677. Of these, 32.3 per cent.—5,385—were rejected, primarily because (a) the applicant had sufficient income to meet care costs; (b) the applicant had capital in excess of £8,000; (c) the applicant was not in receipt of higher rate attendance allowance; (d) the request was not one with which the fund could help.