HC Deb 21 July 1988 vol 137 cc835-6W
Ms. Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has of the numbers of single homeless who have applied for and received a crisis loan payment since April 1988; and if he will estimate how many of the single homeless received an urgent needs payment in the three months prior to April.

Mr. Portillo

I regret that this information is not available.

Ms. Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to introduce a system of guaranteed payments to ensure that hostels providing accommodation for the single homeless receive the lodgiing charge promptly and direct rather than owed to them in arrears.

Mr. Portillo

We are continuing to monitor the operation of the reformed scheme, but have no plans to introduce a system of guaranteed payments of income support. Entitlement is based on a detailed examination of each claimant's circumstances.

Provisions already exist to pay income support in respect of accommodation charges automatically to hostels run by voluntary organisations which provide facilities for alcoholics or drug addicts or which are akin to DHSS resettlement units.

Direct payments can also be made where there is evidence that the claimant has failed to budget for accommodation charges and in the opinion of the adjudication officer it is in the best interest of his family.