§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what special measures he will take to assist 39W single parents of children who are autistic and mentally handicapped where such parents find themselves in a poverty trap under his Department's new regulations.
§ Mr. ScottUnder the reformed structure of income-related benefits introduced in April we have removed the anomaly whereby earning more can actually make a low-paid family in full-time work worse off because of benefit withdrawal. This removes one of the worst features of the poverty-trap.
§ Mr. Barry Jonesto ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the annual estimated cost of caring for a nine-year-old autistic and mentally handicapped, hyperactive child in (a) a hospital and (b) a registered home;
(2) What payments would be made weekly to foster parents who would care for a nine-year-old autistic, mentally handicapped, hyperactive child;
(3) what payments a married woman would receive under income support when caring for her nine-year-old mentally handicapped, hyperactive, autistic child, assuming her husband earned £20,000 per annum; what back pay on income support she would be eligible for; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottThe cost of caring for any handicapped person either in a hospital or residential care setting will vary according to his or her individual needs. Costs of care will be affected by such factors as treatment and support provided, day time occupation and leisure activities.
A boarding-out allowance can be paid by a local authority in respect of a child in care placed with foster parents. In addition, if the appropriate eligibility criteria are satisfied a foster parent can qualify for attendance allowance and invalid care allowance, and receive mobility allowance on behalf of the child.
It is unlikely that a woman in these circumstances would be entitled to supplementary benefit, and the question of back pay would not arise. However, if the hon. Member is referring to a specific case, and provides me with more details of it, I shall write to him.