§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the size of the(a) earnings and (b) maintenance disregards in each means-tested benefit scheme; and how these disregards vary for different categories of claimant.
§ Mr. BurtThe information is in the table.
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Client Group Earnings Disregard (Note 3) £ Maintenance Disregard (Note 1)£ Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Lone Parents 25 15 Disabled 15 15 Carers 15 15 Specialist occupations (Note 2) 15 15 Other couples 10 15 Other single people 5 nil Income Support Lone parents 15 nil Disabled 15 nil
Client Group Earnings Disregard (Note 3) £ Maintenance Disregard (Note 1) £ Carers 15 nil Specialist occupations (Note 2) 15 nil Unemployed couples (over 2 years) 15 nil Unemployed couples (under 2 years) 5 nil Other 5 nil Family Credit Lone parents 69 15 Couples with children 69 15 Disability working allowance Lone parents 69 15 Couples with children 69 15 Single (no children) 41.40 nil Notes:
1. The £15 maintenance disregard in housing benefit, council tax benefit and disability working allowance applies only where there is a child or young person in the household.
2. Specialist occupations are reservists, part-time firemen, part-time lifeboatmen and auxiliary coastguards.
3. The income disregard in family credit and disability working allowance applies to all income, including earnings, not otherwise disregarded.
4. The disregards apply to the family unit as a whole, i.e., to the total earnings received and the total maintenance received.
5. People receiving income support are entitled to receive maximum housing benefit and council tax benefit without their resources being assessed by the local authority.