§ Mr. McCartneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will outline her plans for the introduction of the invalid care allowance.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe administrative arrangements for the introduction of this new allowance have now been completed, and the intention is to start payments in the week beginning 5th July, 1976. My right hon. Friend has accordingly laid before the House today:
- i. the Social Security (Invalid Care Allowance) Regulations (SI 1976 No. 409), which have been made under the Social Security Act 1975 and complete the legislative details;
- ii. the Report (House of Commons Paper No. 271) of the National Insurance Advisory Committee which gave careful consideration to the regulations in draft form and recommended one alteration which we have accepted: and
- iii. the Social Security Act 1975 (Commencement No. 2) Order (SI 1976 No. 408), which appoints 5th July 1976 as the first pay day and secures that
10 claims for the allowance can be made in advance from 12th April onwards. A combined leaflet and claim form (NI 212) will be available shortly at local social security offices. My Department will be sending copies of the leaflet and claim form, together with an explanatory letter, to households identified from our records which could include single women and men who are caring full-time for a severely disabled relative receiving an attendance allowance and who might, therefore, also qualify for invalid care allowance.
In addition, I shall be seeking the help of many organisations and bodies representing disabled people in encouraging claims from eligible people who may not be known to the Department. Advertisements will be placed in a number of periodicals which circulate among professional and voluntary workers in the disablement field. I shall also be grateful for the help of hon. and right hon. Members in giving all the publicity they can to this important new allowance and bringing its availability to the attention of any individual constituents who might qualify.