HC Deb 07 November 2002 vol 392 cc675-7W
Mrs. Calton

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will review the rules that require family members not on qualifying benefits to pay for funerals, rather than receiving help from the Social Fund; [79179]

(2) if he will increase the amount of grant available for funeral expenses in the funeral payment from the Social Fund; [79180]

(3) if he will review the operation of the rules that require the liability of family members not on a qualifying benefit to be considered when application for a funeral grant is made. [79211]

Malcolm Wicks

The Social Fund targets help on people with the lowest incomes who qualify for income-related benefits.

Social Fund funeral payments cover the cost of necessary charges including fees levied by burial authorities and crematoria. In addition, up to £600 is allowed for other funeral expenses. This gives the person arranging the funeral the freedom to select the items or services they consider appropriate.

We have no plans to change these arrangements, but we keep the level of support provided with funeral costs under review.

Mrs. Calton

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will make a statement on his policy on the future availability of Social Fund loans and their extension to a wider group of people on low incomes, with particular reference to(a) providing support to families with children and (b) combating social exclusion; [68221]

(2) if he will ensure that the Social Fund continue to provide (a) loans and (b) an improved system of grants; [79206]

(3) if he will review the arrangements for access to Crisis Loans; [79208]

(4) if he will abolish the qualification period of 26 weeks for Budgeting Loans; [79213]

(5) if he will change the eligibility criteria to enable people whose sole income is contributory benefit such as incapacity benefit or contribution based jobseeker's allowance to apply for help from both the discretionary and the regulated Social Fund. [79215]

Malcolm Wicks

Our priority is to tackle poverty and combat social exclusion by helping those who are able into work and making work pay, and increasing support for the most vulnerable members of society: children, pensioners, and disabled people.

The Social Fund supports that strategy by giving help to millions of people on low incomes for a variety of intermittent expenses. Social Fund help is targeted on the neediest people in our society.

Access to a Crisis Loan is available to anyone in an emergency or as a consequence of a disaster where there is no other means of preventing serious damage or serious risk to their health or safety or that of their family. There is no requirement for a Crisis Loan applicant to be receiving an income-related benefit, but any income or capital they have will be taken into account.

Over 1 million Budgeting Loans were provided to people last year. We believe it is right that there should be a waiting period before these loans become available and that six months is a reasonable period for people to rely on their own resources before turning to the state.

We keep all aspects of the Fund under review.

Mrs. Calton

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will change the eligibility criteria to allow people who qualify for the maximum child credit and working tax credit to apply for help from both the discretionary and the regulated Social Fund. [79178]

Malcolm Wicks

With the introduction of the New Tax Credits from April 2003, anyone who receives the Child Tax Credit at the maximum rate or any other rate greater than the family element, or the Working Tax Credit where a disabled worker is included in the assessment, will qualify for Sure Start Maternity Grants and Funeral Payments from the regulated Social Fund, provided that all of the other eligibility criteria are met.

Patsy Calton

To ask the the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will ensure that from April 2003, people who qualify for maximum child credit and/or who qualify for Working Tax Credit are eligible to apply for grants from the regulated Social Fund, with particular reference to(a) Sure Start Maternity Grants and (b) Funeral Grants. [79207]

Malcolm Wicks

From April 2003, Sure Start Maternity Grants and Funeral Payments will be payable to families receiving Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Child Tax Credit at the maximum rate or any other rate greater than the family element, or Working Tax Credit where a disabled worker is included in the assessment.

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