§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the amount received in maintenance payments from claimants on supplementary benefit in respect of other persons receiving supplementary benefit at the latest available date.
85W(2) what was the amount received in maintenance payments in respect of persons receiving supplementary benefits at the latest available date.
§ Mrs. ChalkerIn the year ending 31 March 1979 about£33 million was received by the Department in maintenance payments in respect of persons receiving supplementary benefit. Additionally it is estimated that, on the basis of an inquiry made in November 1978, a further£33½million in maintenance was paid direct to supplementary benefit recipients and taken into account in the assessment of their benefit entitlement.
No statistical information is available abount the circumstances of the persons making these maintenance payments. However, it is not the policy of the Supplementary Benefits Commission to seek payments of maintenance from a person who is himself receiving supplementary benefit, and in the calculation of aperson's benefit no allowance is normally given for the maintenance of persons not living in the claimant's household. Any benefit recipient with a maintenance commitment under a court order should tell the court about his financial circumstances, and the Department's staff are instructed to advise claimants accordingly if the matter is raised with them.