§ Mr. Hudson Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to amend the recent legislation concerning the payment of social security benefits so that a sensible amount of discretion is restored to local officers of the Department of Health and Social Security in order that benefits to deserving claimants are not refused.
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§ Mrs. ChalkerThe aim of the reformed supplementary benefits scheme, introduced in November 1980, has been to define claimants' rights clearly in regulations, and to ensure that the scheme is administered equitably. Some discretion remains with benefits officers to make payments where the very tightly drawn rules might be detrimental to the claimant's interest. For example, a lump sum payment may be made where the conditions specified are not otherwise satisfied, or in circumstances not covered by the regulations, if it is the only means of preventing serious risk or serious damage to health or safety.
I have no reason to believe that the scope for exercise of discretion within the scheme is unsatisfactory, but the scheme's operation is being closely monitored by the Department and by the social security advisory committee. This will enable us to consider any general areas of difficulty.
If, however, the hon. Member has a particular case in mind, perhaps he will write to me.