§ Mr. WoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under what criteria the Department and its agencies authorise crisis and interim payments to those in need while benefit applications are processed. [124617]
§ Mr. PondInterim payments are discretionary payments on account of benefit made to avoid hardship where the Decision Maker is satisfied that the basic conditions of entitlement for the benefit are met. Interim payments can be ma de in the following circumstances:
- 1. Where a benefit claim has been made but cannot immediately be determined and the delay is not the fault of the customer;
- 2. In an emergency. This covers a variety of different situations from civil emergencies to industrial action;
- 3. Where a claim has not been made in the correct manner but it is not the fault of the customer, for example because the claim form has been completed incorrectly by a visiting officer; and
- 4. While an appeal is ongoing but the customer clearly has some residual entitlement t D benefit.
Interim payments follow the same payment cycles and periods as the main benefit being claimed and are not made before the person's first benefit pay-day. The amount of any payment is recoverable from the main benefit when it is awarded.
Social fund crisis loans can be made to help with the day-to-day living expenses of people awaiting a first payment of benefit which is paid in arrears. Any crisis loan made under these circumstances will cover the recipient's needs until their first benefit pay-day, following which full or interim payments of benefit can be made.