§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services, under the new social security arrangements, what help is available to those who are awarded attendance allowance but have to wait six months for it to be paid; and what help is available to those babies, under two years of age, who are eligible to be paid attendance allowance.
§ Mr. Scott[holding answer 22 June 1988]: People in this position can qualify for the new income-related benefits under the normal rules of entitlement. In addition to the age-related personal allowance for a single claimant or couple and for each child, premiums may be payable. It is possible for disabled adults to qualify for the disability premium on grounds other than the receipt of attendance allowance. There are also premiums for families with children and a further one for lone parents.
A social fund community care grant may be awarded to a disabled person receiving income support or to a family on income support which includes a disabled adult or child (details are contained in the social fund manual, a copy of which is in the Library).
The Independent Living Fund can provide help to people whom the trustees judge likely to be successful in their claim for attendance allowance, subject to the other eligibility criteria.