Flood Victims (Hansard, 1 July 1993)

§ Mr. Scott

The 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 a copy will he placed in the Library.

Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Elfyn Llwyd. dated 30 June 1993.

626W

As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking what steps are being taken to provide an immediate response to applications for help from the Social Fund by victims of the recent flooding in Wales.

I would first of all like to explain that the primary responsibility for disaster relief lies with the Local Authority and I understand that the Government has already made available extra money for the emergency work.

However, help may be available from the Social Fund. In the main, this will be in the form of Crisis Loans (CLs) which are available to anyone who needs financial help to meet expenses in an emergency or a disaster, whether or not they are receiving any benefit. They must however, be facing serious risk or serious damage to their health or safety, and the CL must be the only means of dealing with the crisis.

In order to ensure that applications from flood victims are processed more promptly, the Colwyn Bay office has set up a dedicated section. All applications for assistance are being considered sensitively, in light of the individual circumstances of the applicant.

Expenditure from District Social Fund budgets is monitored closely. Arrangements are in place to record expenditure incurred as a result of flooding or other natural disasters.

If the situation arises, the Department will review the local budgets of Districts which have incurred additional Social Fund expenditure as a result of flooding.

I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this letter will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.