§ 40. Mr. Boothasked the Minister of Social Security whether disablement benefit paid as a lump sum in respect of a specified period is treated as weekly income in assessing entitlement to exemption from prescription charges on grounds of low income.
§ Mr. LoughlinDisablement benefit paid as a lump sum in respect of a specified period would be treated as weekly income.
§ 41. Mr. Boothasked the Minister of Social Security, what steps officers of her Department take to ensure that all allowable expenses are deducted by applicants for exemption from prescription charges in declaring their weekly income.
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§ 51. Mr. Bidwellasked the Minister of Social Security, whether fares to work can be deducted in calculating the net earnings of an applicant for exemption from prescription charges on grounds of low income.
§ Mr. LoughlinThe expenses which a claimant can deduct are those necessary to arrive at his net earnings, such as N.I. contributions and fares to work, which can certainly be deducted. The claimant should make these deductions himself when completing the claim form. Other expenses should be notified on the claim form and will be allowed if appropriate by the local officer who decides the claim.
§ 48. Mr. Hugh D. Brownasked the Minister of Social Security what increase or decrease in weekly income constitutes a change of circumstances such as to invalidate a certificate of exemption from prescription charges on grounds of low income.
§ Mr. LoughlinNo decreases in weekly income can invalidate the certificate. The amount of increase that will invalidate any particular exemption certificate will depend upon the circumstances of the individual claimant.
§ 49. Mr. Hugh D. Brownasked the Minister of Social Security what steps officers of her Department take to verify the weekly earnings declared by applicants for exemption from prescription charges.
§ Mrs. HartThe officers of my Department will, where appropriate, ask a person claiming exemption on grounds of hardship to provide evidence of earnings or other income.
§ 52 and 53. Mr. Lomasasked the Minister of Social Security (1) how purchased annuities are treated in assessing entitlement to exemption from prescription charges on grounds of low income;
(2) in what circumstances payments under deed of covenant are deducted from weekly income in assessing entitlements to exemption from prescription charges on grounds of low income;
(3) how capital gains are treated in assessing entitlement to exemptions from prescription charges on grounds of low income;
156W(4) whether gambling gains and losses are taken into account in assessing entitlement to exemption from prescription charges on grounds of low income;
(5) how regular gifts to a needy relative or friend are taken into account in assessing entitlement to exemption from prescription charges on grounds of low income;
(6) how regular gifts from relatives, friends or charities are taken into account in assessing entitlement to exemption from prescription charges on grounds of low income.
§ Mr. Charles LoughlinAll resources and relevant expenses should be declared by the claimant, and would be dealt with under the rules set out in the guide and claim form P.C. 11. Payments made by the claimant voluntarily, would not normally be allowed as expenses. My local officers are available to give guidance in any particular case.