§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the effect of the registration of a supported lodging as a small residential home, pursuant to the Registered Homes (Amendment) Act 1991 on the benefit entitlement of a typical carer previously in receipt of housing benefit, disability living allowance (care) and the income support severe disability premium and now receiving the residential allowance in their place.
§ Mr. BurtThe operation of the Registered Homes Act is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health. However, I understand that from 1 April 1993, under an amendment to that Act, proprietors of residential care homes for fewer than four people—small homes—which are judged by their local authority as providing both board and personal care, will be required to register with that authority. Homes providing board and personal care for four residents or more are already required to register.
The residential allowance will be introduced from 1 April as part of the new community care arrangements and will be paid to residents who enter a registered home as part of their normal income support entitlement.
People resident at 31 March in small homes, which are subsequently required to register, and who are receiving housing benefit to help with the home fees will have their entitlement to housing benefit transitionally protected for as long as they remain in the same home and otherwise remain entitled to that benefit.
Only those residents in small homes at 31 March 1993, which are subsequently required to register, who are already receiving higher levels of income support will have preserved rights to those higher levels.
293WWhere a resident has a preserved right to income support, they will also have a preserved right to attendance allowance or the care component of disability living allowance and any associated income support premium.