§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what date he expects to receive the report of the Social Security Advisory Committee on the social fund.
§ Mr. Terry FieldsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give most recent figures for reasons for refusals from the social fund for(a) budgeting loans, (b) crisis loans and (c) community care grants.
§ Mr. ScottThe figures for December 1991 are shown in the tables.
Budgeting loan Reason for refusal Number Loan refused as Community Care Grant awarded 4,401 Not receiving Income Support 4,565 Not receiving Income Support for 26 weeks 12,750 Excluding Item(s) 1,325 Previous application and SFO decision for the item 2,272 Inability to repay 2,209 Insufficient priority 12,267 Other reasons 2,750
Crisis loans Reason for refusal Number Excluded item(s) 101 Previous application and SFO decision for the item 171 No serious damage or risk to health or safety 3,202 Suitable alternative available 133 Help available from another source 305 Enough money for a crisis 114 Inability to repay 433 Insufficient priority 194 Other reasons 732
Community care grants Reason for refusal Number Savings over £500 sufficient to meet cost 113 Not in receipt of income support and unlikely to become entitled 4,282 Excluded item(s) 1,414 Excluded applicant 384 Amount less than £30, not travelling expenses 245 Previous application and SFO decision for the item 2,164 Insufficient priority 5,279 Direction 4 not satisfied 39,253 Other reasons 1,483
§ Mr. Terry FieldsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much was left in each of the local office social fund budgets on Merseyside in November and December; and whether any offices received or applied for additional resources.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.
§ Mr. Terry FieldsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people who seek a review of a social fund decision received a favourable decision at(a) social fund officer level and (b) social fund inspector level.
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§ Mr. ScottInformation on the number of decisions revised in the applicant's favour for the period 1 April to 31 December 1991 is shown in the table.
Numbers Number of decisions by Social Fund officer 44,487 Number of decisions substituted by Social Fund inspector 2,981 Notes:
1. Figures refer to numbers of cases not numbers of people.
2. Decisions revised at social fund officer level include cases referred back by social fund inspectors for re-determination by higher executive officer (social fund).