§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will ensure that parents assessed to receive maintenance under the Child Support Act 1991 do not lose income support until maintenance is actually received.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Viscount Astor)The administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the noble Lord with such information as is available.
Letter to Earl Russell from the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, Mr. Michael Bichard, dated 7th March 1994
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your parliamentary Question asking Her Majesty's Government if they will ensure that parents assessed to receive maintenance under the Child Support Act 1991 do not lose income support until maintenance is actually received.
It may help if I explain that when information is received from the Child Support Agency that maintenance is due to be paid in respect of an income support customer's children, the income support claim is reviewed to reflect the maintenance due.
In many cases, the income support customer chooses to have the absent parent make payment directly to the Child Support Agency. In these circumstances, there is no overall change to the payment received by the customer.
In all other cases (where payment is due to be paid to the income support customer), the income support claim is reviewed and revised from the date that the maintenance income is due to be received, in anticipation of the foreseeable change in the claim. This action avoids any potential overpayments, thereby protecting public funds.
However, should an absent parent subsequently default on the child maintenance payments, the income support award would again be reviewed and revised to ensure that there was no financial loss to the parent with care, pending a resolution of the child maintenance position. I can assure you that in view of the sensitive circumstances, such action would be taken as a matter of urgency.
I hope you find this reply helpful.