§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set out in the Official Report the benefits available to a non-working widow with three children aged three years, seven years and 12 years and to a female single parent with three children of the same ages.
§ Dr. BoysonThe benefits available to the widowed mother whether working or not, [and assuming her late husband had a full contribution record] would be as follows:
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First 26 weeks of widowhood £ Thereafter £ Widow's allowance 45.95 — Widowed mother's allowance — 32.85 Child dependency additions 23.85 23.85 Child benefit 17.55 17.55 TOTAL per week 87.35 74.25* * An additional component dependent on the late husband's earnings since 6 April 1978 may also be payable. The average additional component currently in payment with widowed mother's allowance is £2.92 per week. The benefits available to the other single parent are withchild benefit of £17.55 and one-parent benefit of £3.65. In addition supplementary benefit would also be available to widows and single parents, subject to the normal rules, if their requirements exceed their resources. The ordinary scale rate for a single householder and three children of the ages given, plus an automatic heating allowance because there is a child under five, is £37.05. The long term rate payable after a year on the ordinary rate is £44.05. Separate additions are payable for any housing costs not covered by Housing Benefit, such as mortgage interest, and additional requirements such as special diets.
Supplementary benefit claimants are entitled to housing benefit which in most cases will cover their full rent and rates. Widows and single parents who are not receiving supplementary benefit may also be entitled to housing benefit, but in these cases the amount of benefit will depend upon their individual circumstances. Other benefits such as free school meals and help with NHS charges are also available to supplementary benefit claimants and to others on low incomes. Working parents with low incomes may be entitled to family income supplement.