§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the full range of furniture and household goods which social fund officers in the York Benefits Agency office were being advised to treat as high-priority items in October in each year since 1988.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from M. Bichard to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 24 November 1992:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about priority levels for furniture and household goods in the Agency's York office.Social Fund Officers (SFO) decide the overall priority of individual applications by looking at all the circumstances of the case. They are obliged to take account of guidance issued by the Secretary of State for Social Security, and by the District Manager acting as Area Social Fund Officer (ASFO).Since 1988, guidance issued by the Secretary of State has indicated that only those items of furniture and household equipment that are essential to the applicant, should be afforded high priority. Over the same period the ASFO has also indicated that high priority should generally be afforded to essential items. However, I should point out that, since SFOs look at all the circumstances surrounding an application, what is an essential item for one applicant may not be for another.Budgeting Loans are aimed at those on Income Support who find it difficult to budget for intermittent expenses, but Community Care Grants are targeted on specified circumstances. The Secretary of State guidance on the level of priority for grants is therefore in terms of the circumstances of the applicant, rather than the item requested. No advice is therefore provided on the level of priority accorded to grant applications for furniture and household equipment. This is for the SFO to decide.I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this letter will appear in the Official Report. Copies are also being placed in the Library.