§ Mr. DenhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average value of(a) social fund loans and (b) social fund grants to pensioners in the most recent year for which figures are available. [28339]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe information is set out below. AVERAGE VALUE OF SOCIAL FUND DISCRETIONARY AWARDS TO PENSIONERS: 1995–96
- Community care grants: £264.82
- Budgeting loans: £236.40
- Crisis loans: £66.45
Note:
The definition of the pensioner client group includes applicant or partner aged:
- 60 or over with income support—IS—pensioner premium
- 80 or over with IS higher pensioner premium
- 60 to 70, disabled with IS higher pensioner premium.
§ Mr. DenhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the expenditure on(a) social fund grants and (b) social fund loans to pensioners in the most recent year for which figures are available. [28338]
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§ Mr. EvansThe information is set out in the table.
- Social fund grants and loans pensioner expenditure: 1995–96
- Community care grants: £13.5 million
- Budgeting loans: £6.5 million
- Crisis loans: £0.4 million
Note:
The definition of the Pensioner client group includes applicant or partner aged:
- 60 or over with income support—IS—pensioner premium
- 80 or over with IS higher pensioner premium
- 60 to 70, disabled with IS higher pensioner premium.
§ Mr. DenhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average pay back period for social fund loans to pensioners; and what is the average weekly deduction from benefit. [28340]
§ Mr. EvansThe average pay back period for social fund loans to pensioners is not immediately available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
The repayment terms for social fund loans are designed to be affordable to the applicant. The rate of repayment depends upon the applicant's individual circumstances. Although most loans are repaid within 78 weeks, the period of repayment may be extended up to 104 weeks.
The average weekly deduction from pensioners' benefit is £6.25. This figure is calculated from statistics published in the income support statistics quarterly inquiry, May 1995 and is the latest information available.
§ Mr. DenhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners currently have more than one social fund loan; what is the current average value of(a) the loans outstanding and (b) the original sum borrowed. [28341]