HC Deb 08 November 1991 vol 198 cc318-30W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will publish in theOfficial Report a schedule of social security benefit rates for 1991–92 and 1992–93.

Miss Widdecombe

The information requested is in the table.

Schedule of main proposed Social Security Benefit Rates from April 1992
(weekly rates unless otherwise shown)
Attendance Allowance
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Higher rate 41.65 43.35
Lower rate 27.80 28.95

Child Benefit
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Only, elder or eldest for whom child benefit is payable1 9.25 9.65
Each subsequent child1 7.50 7.80
1 October 1991 rate

Child's Special Allowance
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
See note on Child Dependency Increase 10.70 10.85

Community charge benefit
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Personal allowances
single
18 to 241 31.40 33.60
25 or over 39.65 42.45
lone parent—18 or over 39.65 42.45
couple—one or both over 18 62.25 66.60
dependent children
under 111 13.60 14.55
11 to 151 20.00 21.40
16 to 171 23.90 25.55
181 31.40 33.60
Premiums
family1 8.70 9.30
lone parent 10.05 10.60
pensioner
single 13.75 14.70
couple 20.90 22.35
pensioner (enhanced)
single 15.55 16.65
couple 23.35 25.00
pensioner (higher)
single 18.45 20.75
couple 26.20 29.55

Old rates New rates
1991 1992
disability
single 16.65 17.80
couple 23.90 25.55
severe disability
single 31.25 32.55
couple (one qualifies) 31.25 32.55
couple (both qualify) 62.50 65.10
disabled child 16.65 17.80
carer 10.80 11.55
Allowance for personal expenses for claimants in hospital
higher rate 13.00 13.55
lower rate 10.40 10.85
Capital
upper limit 16,000.00 16,000.00
amount disregarded 3,000.00 3,000.00
child's limit 3,000.00 3,000.00
Tariff income
£1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit
Earnings disregards
where disability premium awarded 15.00 15.00
various specified employments 15.00 15.00
lone parent—not in receipt of IS 25.00 25.00
where the claimant has a partner 10.00 10.00
single claimant 5.00 5.00
Other income disregards
maintenance disregard 15.00
war disablement pension and war widow's pension 10.00 10.00
voluntary and charitable payments 10.00 10.00
student loan 10.00 10.00
student's covenanted income 5.00 5.00
income from boarders:
disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50 per cent, of the balance of the charge 20.00 20.00
Expenses for subtenants
furnished or unfurnished 4.00 4.00
where heating is included, additional 8.05 8.60
1 October 1991 Rate.

Dependency increases
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Adult Dependency Increases
For spouse or person looking after children, with:
retirement pension on own insurance, invalidity pension, unemployability supplement and, if beneficiary over pension age, unemployment benefit 31.25 32.55
non-contributory retirement pension, invalid care allowance and severe disablement allowance 18.70 19.45
sickness benefit if beneficiary over pension age 29.95 31.20
unemployment benefit 25.55 26.60
maternity allowance/sickness benefit 24.50 25.50

Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Child Dependency Increases
For each child, with:
retirement pension, widows benefit, invalidity benefit, invalid care allowance, severe disablement allowance, higher rate industrial death benefit, unemployability supplement and sickness/ unemployment benefit if beneficiary over pension age 10.70 10.85

Note: The Overlapping Benefits Regulations provide for the rate of child dependency increases, guardian's allowance and child special allowance to be adjusted where the increase or allowance is payable for the eldest eligible child for whom child benefit is also payable. The weekly rate of the increase or allowance is reduced by the differential (less the 75p derived from the October increase in child benefit) between the rate of child benefit payable for the oldest eligible child and that payable for a subsequent child.

Disability Living Allowance
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Care component
Higher 43.35
Middle 28.95
Lower 11.55
Mobility component
Higher 30.30
Lower 11.55

Disability Working Allowance
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Adult credit
Single people 42.40
Couples/Lone parents 58.80
Child credit
Under 11 10.40
11 to 15 17.25
16 to 17 21.45
18 29.90
Applicable amount (ie taper threshold)
Single people 39.95
Couples/Lone parents 66.60
Capital
Upper limit 16,000.00
Amount disregarded 3,000.00
Child's limit 3,000.00
Tariff income
£ 1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit
Disregards
Maintenance disregard 15.00
War disablement pension and war widow's pension 10.00
Voluntary and charitable payments 10.00
Student loan 10.00
Student's covenanted income 5.00
Income from boarders:
Disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50 per cent, of the balance of the charge
Expenses for subtenants
Furnished or unfurnished 4.00
Where heating is included, additional 8.60

Earnings Rules
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Invalid Care Allowance 30.00 40.00
Unemployment Benefit (daily rate) 2.00 2.00
Unemployment Benefit (maximum weekly amount) 52.00 54.00
Therapeutic earnings limit 39.00 40.50
Industrial injuries unemployability
supplement permitted earnings level (annual amount) 2,028.00 2,106.00
War pensioners' unemployability
supplement permitted earnings level (annual amount) 2,028.00 2,106.00
Adult dependency increases with sickness benefit where claimant is
(a) under pension age 24.50 25.50
(b) over pension age 29.95 31.20
maternity allowance 24.50 25.50
unemployment benefit where claimant is
(a) under pension age 25.55 26.60
(b) over pension age 31.25 32.55
retirement pension, invalidity pension, severe disablement allowance, unemployability supplement where dependant
(a) is living with claimant 41.40 43.10
(b) still qualifies for the tapered earnings rule 45.09 45.09
retirement pension, invalidity pension and unemployability supplement where dependant not living with claimant 31.25 32.55
severe disablement allowance where dependant not living with claimant 18.70 19.45
invalid care allowance 18.70 19.45
Child dependency increases level at which CDIs payable with long-term benefits are affected by earnings of claimant's spouse or partner
for first child 110.00 115.00
for each subsequent child 14.00 15.00

Family credit
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Adult credit 38.30 41.00
Child credit 9.70 10.40
11 to 15 16.10 17.25
16 to 17 20.05 21.45
18 27.95 29.90
Applicable amount (ie taper threshold) 62.25 66.60
Capital
upper limit 8,000.00 8,000.00
amount disregarded 3,000.00 3,000.00
child's limit 3,000.00 3,000.00
Tariff income
£1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit Disregards
maintenance disregard 15.00
war disablement and war widow's pension 10.00 10.00

Old rates New rates
1991 1992
voluntary and charitable payments 10.00 10.00
student loan 10.00 10.00
student's covenanted income 5.00 5.00
income from boarders:
disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50 per cent, of the balance of the charge 20.00 20.00
Expenses for subtenants
furnished or unfurnished 4.00 4.00
where heating is included, additional 8.05 8.60

Guardian's allowance
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
See note on Child Dependency Increase 10.70 10.85

Hospital downrating
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
20 per cent, rate 10.40 10.85
40 per cent, rate 20.80 21.70

Housing Benefit
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Personal allowances
single
16 to 241 31.40 33.60
25 or over 39.65 42.45
lone parent
under 181 31.40 33.60
18 or over 39.65 42.45
couple
both under 18 47.30 50.60
one or both over 18 62.25 66.60
dependent children
under 111 13.60 14.55
11 to 151 20.00 21.40
16 to171 23.90 25.55
181 31.40 33.60
Premiums
family1 8.70 9.30
lone parent 10.05 10.60
pensioner
single 13.75 14.70
couple 20.90 22.35
pensioner (enhanced)
single 15.55 16.65
couple 23.35 25.00
pensioner (higher)
single 18.45 20.75
couple 26.20 29.55
disability
single 16.65 17.80
couple 23.90 25.55
severe disability
single 31.25 32.55
couple (one qualifies) 31.25 32.55
couple (both qualify) 62.50 65.10

Old rates New rates
1991 1992
disabled child 16.65 17.80
carer 10.80 11.55
Allowance for personal expenses for claimants in hospital
higher rate 13.00 13.55
lower rate 10.40 10.85
Non-dependant deductions rent rebates and allowances aged 18 or over and in remunerative work
gross income: low inc threshold to £99.99 13.50 8.00
gross income: £100 to £129.99 13.50 12.00
gross income: £130 or more 13.50 18.00
others, aged 18 or over or on Income Support and over 25 5.70 4.00
Low earnings threshold 62.15 65.00
Service charges for fuel
heatinig 18.05 8.60
hot water 1.00 1.05
lighting .65 .70
cooking 1.00 1.05
all fuel 10.70 11.40
Amount ineligible for meals three or more meals a day
single claimant 14.20 15.20
each person in family aged 16 or over 14.20 15.20
each child under 16 7.15 7.65
less than three meals a day
single claimant 9.45 10.10
each person in family aged 16 or over 9.45 10.10
each child under 16 4.70 5.05
breakfast only—claimant and each member of family 1.75 1.85
Capital
upper limit 16,000.00 16,000.00
amount disregarded 3,000.00 3,000.00
child's limit 3,000.00 3,000.00
Tariff income
£1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit
Earnings disregards
where disability premium awarded 15.00 15.00
various specified employments 15.00 15.00
lone parent—not in receipt of IS 25.00 25.00
where the claimant has a partner 10.00 10.00
single claimant 5.00 5.00
Other income disregards
maintenance disregard 15.00
war disablement pension and war widow's pension 10.00 10.00
voluntary and charitable payments 10.00 10.00
student loan 10.00 10.00
student's convenanted income 5.00 5.00
income from boarders:
disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50 per cent, of the balance of the charge 20.00 20.00
Expenses for subtenants
furnished or unfurnished 4.00 4.00
where heating is included, additional 8.05 8.60
1 October 1991 Rate.

Income support
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Personal allowances
single
under 18—usual rate1 23.90 25.55
under 18—higher rate payable in specific circumstances 31.40 33.60
18 to 241 31.40 33.60
25 or over 39.65 42.45
lone parent
under 18—usual rate1 23.90 25.55
under 18—higher rate payable in specific circumstances1 31.40 33.60
18 or over 39.65 42.45
couple
both under 18 47.30 50.60
one or both over 18 62.25 66.60
dependent children
under 111 13.60 14.55
11 to 151 20.00 21.40
16 to 171 23.90 25.55
181 31.40 33.60
Premiums
family1 8.70 9.30
lone parent 4.45 4.75
pensioner
single 13.75 14.70
couple 20.90 22.35
pensioner (enhanced)
single 15.55 16.65
couple 23.35 25.00
pensioner (higher)
single 18.45 20.75
couple 26.20 29.55
disability
single 16.65 17.80
couple 23.90 25.55
severe disability
single 31.25 32.55
couple (one qualifies) 31.25 32.55
couple (both qualify) 62.50 65.10
disabled child 16.65 17.80
carer 10.80 11.55
Maximum amounts for accommodation and meals in residential care homes
old age 160.00 175.00
very dependent elderly 185.00 205.00
mental disorder (not handicap) 170.00 185.00
drug/alcohol dependence 170.00 185.00
mental handicap 195.00 215.00
physical disablement
(a) (under pension age) 230.00 245.00
(b) (over pension age) 160.00 175.00
others 160.00 175.00
maximum Greater London increase 23.00 25.00
nursing homes
mental disorder (not handicap) 255.00 270.00
drug/alcohol dependence 255.00 270.00
mental handicap 260.00 275.00
terminal illness 275.00 280.00
physical disablement
(a) (under pension age) 290.00 305.00

Old rates New rates
1991 1992
(b) (over pension age) 255.00 270.00
others (including elderly) 255.00 270.00
maximum Greater London increase 33.00 35.00
Amounts for meals where these cannot be purchased within the accommodation (Daily Rate)
breakfast 1.10 1.10
midday meal 1.55 1.55
evening meal 1.55 1.55
Allowances for personal expenses for claimants in
private and voluntary residential care and nursing homes personal expenses 11.40 12.20
dependent children
(a) under 11 4.65 5.00
(b) 11 to 15 6.85 7.35
(c) 16 to 17 7.95 8.50
(d) age 18 11.40 12.20
hospital
higher rate 13.00 13.55
lower rate 10.40 10.85
local authority (Pt III)
accommodation 10.40 10.85
the Polish home Ilford Park
max amount for accommodation and meals 160.00 175.00
personal expenses for claimant 15.10 16.15
personal expenses for partner 15.10 16.15
personal expenses for dep children
(a) under 11 4.65 5.00
(b) 11 to 15 6.85 7.35
(c) 16 to 17 7.95 8.50
(d) 18 13.55 14.50
Housing costs
Deduction for non-dependants aged 18 or over and in remunerative work
gross income: low inclusive threshold to £99.99 13.50 8.00
gross income: £100 to £129.99 13.50 12.00
gross income: £130 or more 13.50 18.00
others, aged 18 or over, or on Income Support and over 25 5.70 4.00
Low earnings threshold 62.15 65.00
Deduction for direct payments
arrears of housing, fuel and water costs 2.00 2.15
deductions for recovery of fines (introduced for first time from April 1992 2.15
Deductions for arrears of Community Charge
single claimant or claimant's partner 2.00 2.15
joint couple debtors both on IS 3.15 3.35
Maximum rates for recovery of overpayments
ordinary overpayments 6.00 6.45
where claimant convicted of fraud 8.00 8.60
Reduction in benefit for strikers 21.00 22.50
Capital
upper limit 8,000.00 8,000.00
amount disregarded 3,000.00 3,000.00
child's limit 3,000.00 3,000.00
Tariff income
£1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit

Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Disregards
standard earnings 5.00 5.00
higher earnings 15.00 15.00
war disablement pension and war widow's pension 10.00 10.00
voluntary and charitable payments 10.00 10.00
student loan 10.00 10.00
student's covenanted income 5.00 5.00
income from boarders:
disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50 per cent, of the balance of the charge 20.00 20.00
Expenses for subtenants
furnished or unfurnished 4.00 4.00
where heating is included, additional 8.05 8.60

Industrial death benefit
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Widow's pension
higher rate 52.00 54.15
lower rate 15.60 16.25

Industrial disablement pension
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
18 and over, or under 18 with dependants
100 per cent. 84.90 88.40
90 per cent. 76.41 79.56
80 per cent. 67.92 70.72
70 per cent. 59.43 61.88
60 per cent. 50.94 53.04
50 per cent. 42.45 44.20
40 per cent. 33.96 35.36
30 per cent. 25.47 26.52
20 per cent. 16.98 17.68
Under 18
100 per cent. 52.00 54.15
90 per cent. 46.80 48.74
80 per cent. 41.60 43.32
70 per cent. 36.40 37.91
60 per cent. 31.20 32.49
50 per cent. 26.00 27.08
40 per cent. 20.80 21.66
30 per cent. 15.60 16.25
20 per cent. 10.40 10.83
Maximum life gratuity (lump sum) 5,640.00 5,870.00
Unemployability Supplement 52.00 54.15
plus where appropriate an increase for early incapacity
higher rate 11.10 11.55
middle rate 6.90 7.20
lower rate 3.45 3.60
Maximum reduced earnings allowance 33.96 35.36
Maximum retirement allowance 8.49 8.84
Constant attendance allowance
exceptional rate 68.00 70.80
intermediate rate 51.00 53.10
normal maximum rate 34.00 35.40
part-time rate 17.00 17.70
Exceptionally severe disablement allowance 34.00 35.40

Invalidity allowances and benefits
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Invalid Care Allowance 31.25 32.55
Invalidity Benefit
Invalidity pension 52.00 54.15
Invalidity allowance
higher rate 11.10 11.55
middle rate 6.90 7.20
lower rate 3.45 3.60

Maternity and one parent benefits
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Maternity Allowance 40.60 42.25
One parent benefit 5.60 5.85

Pneumoconiosis, byssinosis, workmen's compensation (supplementation) and other schemes
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Total disablement allowance and major incapacity allowance (maximum) 84.90 88.40
Partial disablement allowance 31.25 32.55
Unemployability supplement 52.00 54.15
plus where appropriate increases for early incapacity
higher rate 11.10 11.55
middle rate 6.90 7.20
lower rate 3.45 3.60
Constant attendance allowance
exceptional rate 68.00 70.80
intermediate rate 51.00 53.10
normal maximum rate 34.00 35.40
part-time rate 17.00 17.70
Exceptionally severe disablement allowance 34.00 35.40
Lesser incapacity allowance
maximum rate of allowance 31.25 32.55
based on loss of earnings over 41.65 43.35

Retirement Pension
Old Rates New Rates
1991 1992
Category A or B 52.00 54.15
Category B (lower)—husband's insurance 31.25 32.55
Category C or D—non-contributory 31.25 32.55
Category C (lower)—non-contributory 18.70 19.45
Additional pension (Increased by 4.1 per cent.)
Increments to basic and additional pension contracted out deductions (from pre April 1988 earnings) and graduated retirement benefit (Increased by 4.1 per cent.)
Contracted out deductions (CODS) and increments to CODS (from post April 1988 earnings) (3 per cent, paid by scheme, 1.1 per cent, by state)
Graduated retirement benefit (unit) (pence) 6.81 7.09
Addition at age 80 0.25 0.25

Severe disablement allowance
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Basic rate 31.25 32.55
Age-related addition (from December 1990)
Higher rate 11.10 11.55
Middle rate 6.90 7.20
Lower rate 3.45 3.60

Sickness benefit
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Over pension age 49.90 51.95
Under pension age 39.60 41.20

Social fund
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Maternity payment 100.00 100.00
Capital limit
aged under 60 500.00 500.00
aged 60 and over 1,000.00 1,000.00

Statutory maternity pay
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Earnings threshold 52.00 54.00
Lower rate 44.50 46.30

Statutory sick pay
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Earnings threshold 52.00 54.00
Lower rate 43.50 45.30
Standard rate 52.50 52.50

Unemployment Benefit
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Over pension age 52.00 54.15
Under pension age 41.40 43.10
Occupational pension abatement 35.00 35.00

War pensions
Old rates New rates
1991 1992
Disablement pension (100 per cent, rates)
private or equivalent 84.90 89.00
officer (£ per annum) 4,427.00 4,650.00
Age allowances
40–50 per cent. 6.00 6.25
over 50 but not over 70 per cent. 9.25 9.65
over 70 but not over 90 per cent. 13.25 13.80
over 90 per cent. 18.50 19.30
Disablement gratuity (base figures for calculation purposes only)
specified minor injury 5,640.00 5,870.00
unspecified minor injury 3,102.00 3,228.50
Unemployability allowance

Old rates New rates
1991 1992
personal 55.25 57.50
adult dependency increase 31.25 32.55
a. increase for first child 9.70 9.75
b. increase for subsequent children 10.70 10.85
Invalidity allowance
higher rate 11.10 11.55
middle rate 6.90 7.20
lower rate 3.45 3.60
Constant attendance allowance
exceptional rate 68.00 70.80
intermediate rate 51.00 53.10
normal maximum rate 34.00 35.40
part-time rate 17.00 17.70
Comforts allowance
higher rate 14.60 15.20
lower rate 7.30 7.60
Mobility supplement 32.35 33.70
Allowance for lowered standard of occupation (maximum) 33.96 35.36
Exceptionally severe disablement allowance 34.00 35.40
Severe disablement occupational allowance 17.00 17.70
Clothing allowance (£ per annum)
higher rate 115.00 120.00
lower rate 73.00 76.00
Education allowance (£ per annum) (maximum) 120.00 120.00
War widow's pension (private)
widow 67.60 70.35
childless widow under 40 15.60 16.25
age allowance
(a) age 65 to 69 7.75 8.05
(b) age 70 to 79 14.95 15.55
(c) age 80 and over 22.20 23.10
children's allowance
(a) increase for first child (adjusted for child benefit increase) 13.65 13.75
(b) increase for subsequent children 14.65 14.85
Orphan' pension
(a) increase for first child (adjusted for child benefit increase) 15.10 15.30
(b) increase for subsequent children 16.10 16.40
Unmarried dependant living as spouse (maximum) 65.55 68.30
Rent allowance (maximum) 25.75 26.80
Adult orphan's pension (maximum) 52.00 54.15
Widower's pension (maximum) 67.60 70.35

Widow's Benefit
Old Rates New Rates
1991 1992
Widow's payment (lump sum) 1,000.00 1,000.00
Widowed mother's allowance 52.00 54.15
Widow's pension

Old Rates New Rates
1991 1992
standard rate 52.00 54.15
age-related
age 54 (49) 48.36 50.36
age 53 (48) 44.72 46.57
age 52 (47) 41.08 42.78
age 51 (46) 37.44 38.99
age 50 (45) 33.80 35.20
age 49 (44) 30.16 31.41
age 48 (43) 26.52 27.62
age 47 (42) 22.88 23.83
age 46 (41) 19.24 20.04
age 45 (40) 15.60 16.25

Note: For deaths occurring before 11 April 1988 refer to age-points shown in brackets.

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