§ 34. Mr. Deanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the Supplementary Benefits Commission first tells supplementary benefit claimants that they are on the four-week review rule; what are the criteria for applying this rule to claimants; how many claimants are at present having the rule applied to them; how many to date have had their benefit terminated under this rule; and how many of these became employed as a result.
§ Mr. EnnalsFour weeks allowances are awarded to fit unskilled men under 45 without dependants, at the outset of their claim; and in other cases under 45, on review after about three months, in the light of all the circumstances of the case, if the attitude towards employment is the limiting factor in obtaining employment and their are no dependants for whom the withdrawal of benefit would cause hardship. During January, 1970, four weeks allowances were issued initially in 5,953 cases and on review in 1,612 cases. Further allowances were issued on change of circumstances in 246 cases and in seven cases benefit was restored on appeal. Altogether over 111,000 four weeks allowances have been issued, further allowances being similarly issued in about 3,000 cases and benefit being restored on appeal in 179 cases. The remainder either found work within four weeks or ceased to draw benefit after the fourth week.