§ Paddy AshdownTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if an elderly person living with relatives will have their entitlement to the minimum income guarantee means-tested in relation to the total household income; and if he will make a statement. [131502]
§ Mr. Bayley[holding answer 20 July 2000]I have been asked to reply.
Claims to income related benefits are assessed on the basis of a benefit unit not a household as a whole. A benefit unit consists of a claimant, his or her partner and any child dependents. Therefore an elderly person living with relatives would have their minimum income guarantee assessed on their individual circumstances rather than that of the household.