§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Social Services under what circumstances family income supplement is available to single-parent families; and what other benefits are available to such families receiving family income supplement.
§ Mr. DeanUnder the Family Income Supplement Act anyone who is not living with his or her spouse, or with another person as man and wife, is treated as a single person. A family income supplement is available to such a person if he or she is in full-time work, has at least one dependent child living in the household, and has an income which is less than the prescribed amount. The prescribed amounts depend on the number 29W of dependent children in the family; they are the same for single-parent and for two-parent families. A family which receives family income supplement is also entitled to the following benefits without any further test of means: free school meals, free welfare milk and foods, exemption from prescription charges, help with optical and dental charges under the National Health Service, and refund of travelling expenses incurred through attendance at a hospital for treatment.