§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security under what circumstances payments of income support are made to persons under 18 years of age; how many such recipients are currently recorded; and what is the average weekly payment to such persons.
§ Mr. Roger EvansYoung people aged 16 and 17 can claim income support at any time if their circumstances exempt them from the availability for work rules. In addition those who have ceased compulsory education and of necessity have to live independently from their family because they are estranged can claim in the period that their parents would have received child benefit. The young person is required to register unemployed with the Employment Service and for work or training opportunities with the careers service.
Outside the child benefit period, the temporarily sick with supporting medical evidence can claim until fit for 544W work or training, as can recently discharged offenders who are estranged from their family for up to eight weeks, provided they are registered for work and training.
Further, the Secretary of State may direct that income support be paid to any registered young person who is not entitled under the above rules but who would be at risk of unavoidable severe hardship if benefit were withheld. Income support would normally be paid until a job or a Government training place is secured.
The number of income support recipients aged under 18 is 36,000 and the average weekly amount paid is £36.79.
Source: Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry February 1994 (sample survey of 1/20 cases). The figure is rounded to the nearest thousand.