§ 75. Mr. Robert Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will instruct Social Security officers that where supplementary benefits are paid to cover specific claims the relevant amounts should be paid either direct to the original claimant or by some irrevocable money order that ensures the benefit is applied for its intended use.
§ Mr. DeanThis is often done where only a single payment of benefit has to be made, particularly where there is a danger that the money may be misapplied. Where the payment is a recurring one, for example rent, the amount involved may be paid direct to the landlord in appropriate cases, but there are administrative difficulties about doing this, or sending the claimant a separate draft for rent made payable to the landlord, where the claimant is frequently in and out of work. In these cases other methods are used to ensure that the rent is paid.