§ 41. Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he takes to ensure that(a) electricity, (b) gas and (c) water are not cut off from people in receipt of supplementary benefit.
§ Mr. ScottPeople on supplementary benefit who are threatened with disconnection of mains gas or electricity may have their fuel paid directly if the adjudication officer considers it is in the interests of the family to do so. The scheme is the product of an agreement (known as the joint statement of intent on direct payment for fuel) between the DHSS and the fuel industry. Provided that the supplier agrees, deductions are made from the claimant's supplementary benefit and paid directly to the supplier to cover both current consumption and to reduce the debt.
Similar direct payment arrangements may be made for water rates to prevent disconnection of mains water. In addition, the fuel industries' code of practice provides that the supply of gas and electricity to pensioner households should not be disconnected between 1 October and 31 March.