§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what provision his Department is making to provide for the shortfall between the fees charged by residential homes and nursing homes and the level of income support under community care.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe present system of income support limits will be preserved for existing claimants who are resident in homes when the new funding structure is introduced in April 1993. As now, under those arrangements there will be limits to the level of benefit available for different types of care and these will be reviewed regularly. Subject to the normal qualifying conditions, those whose fees are at or below the limit will have their charges met in full.
§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing the rates of supplemental payment for individual elderly people in residential accommodation in(a) local authority homes for the elderly, (b) homes for the elderly operated by voluntary organisations, (c) nursing homes operated by voluntary organisations, (d) homes for the elderly operated by the private sector and (e) nursing homes operated by the private sector; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeIn local authority residential accommodation, income support of £41.60 may be paid towards the minimum charge, together with £10.40 for personal expenses.
Income support up to the following national limits may be paid to people in independent and voluntary homes:
Limit (£ per week) Residential care homes Elderly and other (including physically disabled over pension age) 160 Very dependent or blind elderly 185 Mentally ill 170 Suffering from drug or alcohol dependency 170 Mentally handicapped 195 Physically disabled and disablement began under pension age 230 Nursing homes Elderly and other (including physically disabled over pension age) 255 Mentally ill 255 Suffering from drug or alcohol dependency 255 Mentally handicapped 260 Physically disabled and disablement began under pension age 290 Terminal illness 275 An amount of £11.40 is added for personal expenses in both residential care and nursing homes.
576WIn Greater London, the limits may be increased by an amount of £23 in residential care homes and £33 in nursing homes.
On 21 October, at Columns 639–657, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, announced proposals for substantial increases in all these limits from April 1992.