HC Deb 14 April 2003 vol 403 cc640-1W
Mr. Willetts

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions claimants of which benefits are entitled to help from the adviser discretion fund; and how the eligibility criteria have changed since the scheme first began. [107415]

Malcolm Wicks

When the adviser discretion fund (ADF) was introduced in July 2001, it was available to people participating in New Deal for Young People, New Deal 25 plus, New Deal for Partners and New Deal for Disabled People (during the gateway interview only). It was also open to those New Deal for Lone Parents participants who had not been in full-time work (i.e. more than 16 hours per week) or full-time education in the last six months.

In December 2001, the ADF was also made available to New Deal 50 plus participants.

From 7 April this year, the fund was extended to include other Jobcentre Plus customers in continuous receipt of one, or a combination of, the following benefits for 26 weeks or more:

  • Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Incapacity Benefit
  • Carer's Allowance
  • Severe Disablement Benefit
  • Bereavement Benefit.