Supplementary Benefits (Hansard, 20 December 1985)

§ Mr. Soley
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the total estimated amounts defrauded from supplementary benefits for each year from 1979.

§ Mr. Major
No reliable estimate is available of the extent of supplementary benefit fraud.

§ Mrs. Beckett
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list all the changes in social security law since May 1979 which have affected the entitlement of (a) 16 to 17-year-olds, (b) 18 to 20-year-olds and (c) 21 to 25-year-olds to supplementary benefit or any other benefit or which have affected the entitlement to any benefit of their parents.

§ Mr. Newton
[pursuant to his reply, 2 December 1985, c. 130]: The main changes in social security law specifically affecting the entitlement of young people and their parents have been identified as set out, showing who was affected by the change and the relevant legislation. Normal uprating increases and regulations made in 1980 reflecting the previous policy of the Supplementary Benefits Commission are not included.
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Date Change Persons affected Legislation

August 1982 Entitlement to supplementary benefit whilst studying up to 21 hours a week made dependent upon receipt of benefit for 3 months. All young people but school leavers in particular. Supplementary Benefit (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1982 (S.I. 1982 No. 907).

April 1983 Rent addition withdrawn from non-householder claimants aged 16–17; no deduction from householders' supplementary benefit in respect of non-dependants in receipt of supplementary benefit. Non-householder claimants aged 16–17 and parents of such claimants if the parents receive supplementary benefit. Supplementary Benefit (Housing Benefit) (Requirements and Resources) Consequential Amendments Regula-tions 1982 (S.I. 1982 No. 1126).

August 1983 The 3-month qualifying period for entitlement to supplementary benefit whilst studying up to 21 hours a week to include periods spent on the Youth Opportunities Programme or Youth Training Scheme. Claimants aged 16–17. Supplementary Benefit (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1983 (S.I. 1983 No. 1000).

November 1983 Three fixed rates of deduction in respect of non-dependants aged over 18 in the claimant's household (£2.20, £3.95 or £4.70) according to age and whether or not in receipt of benefit. Parents with non-dependent children aged 18 and over living with them. Supplementary Benefit (Requirements) Regulations 1983 (S.I. 1983 No. 1399).

April 1984 Rent addition withdrawn from non-householder claimants aged 18–20; no deduction from householders' supplementary benefit in respect of non-dependants aged 18–20 in receipt of supplementary benefit. Deductions in respect of other non-dependants £2.20 or £6.15 dependent upon age and whether or not in receipt of benefit. Non-householder claimants aged 18–20 and parents with non-dependent children in their household. Supplementary Benefit (Requirements) Amendment Regulations 1984 (S.I. 1984 No. 282).

August 1984 Persons over 16 entitled to benefit whilst undergoing education of a type normally given in schools if education no more than 12 hours a week. Claimants aged 16–19. Supplementary Benefit (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1984 (S.I. 1984 No. 984).

November 1984 Rates of deduction in respect of non-dependent members of claimant's household revised according to age and whether or not in receipt of benefit. Parents with non-dependent children in their household. Supplementary Benefit (Requirements and Resources) Amendment Regulations 1984 (S.I. 1984 No. 1102).

November 1984 Full-time earnings of a child who has left school taken into account up to the level of the child's requirements during the period he is treated as dependent. Parents with dependent children aged 16–18. Supplementary Benefit (Requirements and Resources) Amendment Regulations 1984 (S.I. 1984 No. 1102).

April to July 1985 and from November 1985 Payment as a boarder restricted to limited periods (2, 4, or 8 weeks) in any one area in any period of 26 weeks. Certain unemployed able-bodied claimants aged 16–25 without dependent children. Supplementary Benefit (Requirements and Resources) Miscellaneous Provisions Regulations 1985 (S.I. 1985 No. 613) and (No. 2) Regulations (S.I. 1985 No. 1835).

Housing Benefit April 1983 (Partial start November 1982) Introduction of Housing Benefit Scheme. Needs allowance set at £11.40 for each dependent child. Deductions for non-dependants set at three rates (£3.10, £5.55 and £6.55) dependent upon age and whether or not in receipt of benefit or training allowance. No deduction in respect of 16–17 year olds. Parents with dependent or non-dependent children. Housing Benefits Regulations 1982 (S.I. 1982 No. 1124).

April 1984 Non-dependant deduction discontinued in respect of 18–20 year olds in receipt of supplementary benefit or on Youth Training Scheme. Deduction in respect of other persons aged 18 and over £3.0 or £8.20 dependent upon age and whether or not in receipt of benefit. Parents with non-dependent children. Housing Benefits Amendment Regulations 1984 (S.I. 1984 No. 103).

November 1984 Real increase of 50p in the needs allowance for dependent children (ie 50p more than required by normal uprating formula). Parents with dependent children Housing Benefits (Increase in Needs Allowances) Regulations 1984 (S.I. 1984 No. 1105).

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Date Change Persons affected Legislation

November 1984 Non-dependant deduction of £3.30 in respect of 16–17 year old not in receipt of supplementary benefit, severe disablement benefit or on Youth Training Scheme. Deduction of £8.20 reduced to £3.30 in respect of persons over 18 in receipt of certain benefits for 8 weeks. Deductions in respect of other non-dependants increased to £3.30 or £8.80 dependent upon age and whether or not in receipt of benefit. Parents with non-dependent children. Housing Benefits Amendment (No. 3) Regulations 1984 (S.I. 1984 No. 940).

November 1985 Real increase of 95p in the needs allowance for dependent children (ie 95p more than required by the normal uprating formula). Parents with dependent children. Housing Benefits (Increase in Needs Allowances) Regulations 1985 (S.I. 1985 No. 1244).

Severe Disablement Allowance

November 1984 Non-contributory invalidity pension replaced. (i) Abolition of household duties test. Entitlement on grounds of incapacity for work alone. Claimants whose incapacity for work begins on or before 20th birthday. Health and Social Security Act 1984, Section 11. Social Security (Severe Disablement Allowance) Regulations 1984 (S.I. 1984 No. 1303).

(ii) Abolition of household duties test. Entitlement conditional on incapacity for work and on assessment of at least 80 per cent, disablement. Claimants whose incapacity for work begins after age 20.

Family Income Supplement

November 1985 Higher prescribed amounts in respect of older children. Parents with dependent children aged 16–18. Family Income Supplements (Computation) Regulations 1985 (S.I. 1985 No. 1188).

Child and One-Parent Benefits

February 1980 One-parent benefit extended to persons receiving the lower rate dependant's addition of industrial death benefit or industrial injuries disablement benefit. Parents with dependent children. Child Benefit and Social Security (Fixing and Adjustment of Rates) Amendment Regulations 1980 (S.I. 1980 No. 110).

November 1980 Benefit in respect of school leaver to remain in payment until a specified date at the end of the school holiday following the final term; to continue in payment in respect of child on Youth Training Scheme or sponsored training course; to cease in respect of child awarded supplementary benefit. Parents with dependent children aged 16–18. Child Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1980 (S.I. 1980 No. 1045).

May 1982 Benefit in respect of school leaver withdrawn if child starts work or Youth Training Scheme or sponsored training course. Parents with dependent children aged 16–18 Child Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1982 (S.I. 1982 No. 470).

February 1983 Benefit in respect of child in local authority care payable to persons with whom the child resides for 7 consecutive days. Parents with dependent children. Child Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1983 (S.I. 1983 No 3).

April 1984 In respect of new claims, benefit not payable where claimant or spouse has income exempt from United Kingdom income tax. Parents with dependent children. Child Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1984 (S.I. 1984 No. 337).

August 1984 Benefit payable in respect of child attending school or college provided the course exceeds 12 hours a week. Parents with dependent children aged 16–18. Child Benefit (General) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1984 (S.I. 1984 No. 939).

August 1984 The number of weeks a person may continue to receive benefit while that person or the child is outside Great Britain reduced from 26 to 8. Parents with dependent children. Child Benefit (Residence and Persons Abroad) Amendment Regulations 1984 (S.I. 1984 No. 875).

Child Dependency Additions to Social Security Benefits

November 1984 Lower rate of child dependency addition abolished and an earnings condition for the higher rate introduced. Parents with dependent children aged 16–19. Health and Social Security Act 1984 (Section 13 and Schedule 5); Commencement No. 1 Order 1984 (S.I. 1984 No. 1302).

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Date	Change	Persons affected	Legislation
August 1982	Entitlement to supplementary benefit whilst studying up to 21 hours a week made dependent upon receipt of benefit for 3 months.	All young people but school leavers in particular.	Supplementary Benefit (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1982 (S.I. 1982 No. 907).
April 1983	Rent addition withdrawn from non-householder claimants aged 16–17; no deduction from householders' supplementary benefit in respect of non-dependants in receipt of supplementary benefit.	Non-householder claimants aged 16–17 and parents of such claimants if the parents receive supplementary benefit.	Supplementary Benefit (Housing Benefit) (Requirements and Resources) Consequential Amendments Regula-tions 1982 (S.I. 1982 No. 1126).
August 1983	The 3-month qualifying period for entitlement to supplementary benefit whilst studying up to 21 hours a week to include periods spent on the Youth Opportunities Programme or Youth Training Scheme.	Claimants aged 16–17.	Supplementary Benefit (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1983 (S.I. 1983 No. 1000).
November 1983	Three fixed rates of deduction in respect of non-dependants aged over 18 in the claimant's household (£2.20, £3.95 or £4.70) according to age and whether or not in receipt of benefit.	Parents with non-dependent children aged 18 and over living with them.	Supplementary Benefit (Requirements) Regulations 1983 (S.I. 1983 No. 1399).
April 1984	Rent addition withdrawn from non-householder claimants aged 18–20; no deduction from householders' supplementary benefit in respect of non-dependants aged 18–20 in receipt of supplementary benefit. Deductions in respect of other non-dependants £2.20 or £6.15 dependent upon age and whether or not in receipt of benefit.	Non-householder claimants aged 18–20 and parents with non-dependent children in their household.	Supplementary Benefit (Requirements) Amendment Regulations 1984 (S.I. 1984 No. 282).
August 1984	Persons over 16 entitled to benefit whilst undergoing education of a type normally given in schools if education no more than 12 hours a week.	Claimants aged 16–19.	Supplementary Benefit (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1984 (S.I. 1984 No. 984).
November 1984	Rates of deduction in respect of non-dependent members of claimant's household revised according to age and whether or not in receipt of benefit.	Parents with non-dependent children in their household.	Supplementary Benefit (Requirements and Resources) Amendment Regulations 1984 (S.I. 1984 No. 1102).
November 1984	Full-time earnings of a child who has left school taken into account up to the level of the child's requirements during the period he is treated as dependent.	Parents with dependent children aged 16–18.	Supplementary Benefit (Requirements and Resources) Amendment Regulations 1984 (S.I. 1984 No. 1102).
April to July 1985 and from November 1985	Payment as a boarder restricted to limited periods (2, 4, or 8 weeks) in any one area in any period of 26 weeks.	Certain unemployed able-bodied claimants aged 16–25 without dependent children.	Supplementary Benefit (Requirements and Resources) Miscellaneous Provisions Regulations 1985 (S.I. 1985 No. 613) and (No. 2) Regulations (S.I. 1985 No. 1835).
Housing Benefit April 1983 (Partial start November 1982)	Introduction of Housing Benefit Scheme. Needs allowance set at £11.40 for each dependent child. Deductions for non-dependants set at three rates (£3.10, £5.55 and £6.55) dependent upon age and whether or not in receipt of benefit or training allowance. No deduction in respect of 16–17 year olds.	Parents with dependent or non-dependent children.	Housing Benefits Regulations 1982 (S.I. 1982 No. 1124).
April 1984	Non-dependant deduction discontinued in respect of 18–20 year olds in receipt of supplementary benefit or on Youth Training Scheme. Deduction in respect of other persons aged 18 and over £3.0 or £8.20 dependent upon age and whether or not in receipt of benefit.	Parents with non-dependent children.	Housing Benefits Amendment Regulations 1984 (S.I. 1984 No. 103).
November 1984	Real increase of 50p in the needs allowance for dependent children (ie 50p more than required by normal uprating formula).	Parents with dependent children	Housing Benefits (Increase in Needs Allowances) Regulations 1984 (S.I. 1984 No. 1105).