§ Mr. RowlandsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is his estimate of the amount paid within the Merthyr district benefit area under the social fund in 1994–95; and what proportion of these funds were(a) community care grants and (b) crisis loans; [20861]
(2) what was the allocation under the social fund to the Merthyr benefit district in 1994–95. [20862]
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§ Mr. Roger EvansThe administration of the social fund is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Ted Rowlands, dated 19 March 1996:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking what is his estimate of the amount paid within the Merthyr District benefit area under the Social Fund (SF) in 1994–95; and what proportion of these funds were (a) community care grants (CCGs) and (b) crisis loans and what was the allocation under the SF to the Merthyr Benefit District in 1994–95.When the Benefits Agency was formed in April 1991, existing benefit offices were grouped into Districts. Merthyr Tydfil office forms part of the Eastern Valleys District which also includes Blackwood, Caerphilly and Ebbw Vale offices and Bargoed One Stop Shop.The total amount paid under the discretionary SF in 1994/95 for Eastern Valleys District was £2,268,189.02, of which 27.87% (£632,101.87) was for CCGs and 8.72% (£197,731.77) was for crisis loans. The total amount paid under the non-discretionary SF in 1994/95 for Eastern Valleys District was broken down as follows:
- Funeral Payments: £557,044.20
- Maternity Payments: £140,400.00
- Cold Weather Payments: None
- Total: £697,444.20
The District allocation for 1994/95 was £2,281,469 comprising £1,643,671 for loans and £637,798 for grants. These figures are provisional and subject to change.I hope you find this reply helpful.