Supplementary Benefit

HC Deb 08 June 1982 vol 25 cc68-70W

Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current number of people in Dundee and Scotland in receipt of supplementary benefit; how these figures compare with a year ago; and if he will provide a breakdown for the following groups (a) sick and disabled, (b) single parent families, (c) registered unemployed, (d) unemployed on long-term scale rate, (e) pensioners and (f) others.

Mr. Newton

The numbers claiming in Scotland and from the two local offices in Dundee—including people who live outside Dundee itself—are as follows:

	February 1981	February 1982
	Dundee	Scotland	Dundee	Scotland
Sick and Disabled	900	23,800	900	25,800
Single parent families*	1,700	35,500	1,900	40,900
Registered unemployed	6,700	131,300	9,100	185,200
Unemployed on long term scale rate†	—	—	200	3,200

	February 1981	February 1982
	Dundee	Scotland	Dundee	Scotland
Pensioners	7,200	143,100	7,000	143,600
Others	200	5,700	300	6,400
Total supplementary beneficiaries	16,800	339,400	19,400	405,100
* Excludes some one parent families in other groups, eg widows with National Insurance Benefits, and those who are unemployed
† Not applicable in February 1981.

Source: 100 per cent. count of claims in action.

Mr. McCusker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in assessing the eligibility of an individual for supplementary benefit, inquiries are made to ascertain whether that individual is entitled to any salary or wages which he is not drawing and which is of a level which would remove his entitlement; and whether, in such circumstances, benefit is payable.

Mr. Newton

Regulation 4(2) of the Supplementary Benefit (Resources) Regulations 1981 (S.I. 1981 No. 1527) provides—inter alia—that where a resource would become available to a claimant or a member of his family if he applied for it, but he has not acquired it, that resource may if, in the opinion of the benefit officer it is reasonable in the circumstances to do so, be treated as if it were possessed by him. If in a particular case it appeared that this regulation might apply in relation to undrawn salary or wages, appropriate inquiries would be made. It would then be for the benefit officer to decide whether a notional resource of the amount of the undrawn salary or wages should be taken into account. A similar provision applies in relation to supplementary benefit in Northern Ireland.