§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he and his Department have(a) made and (b) put into action to extend entitlement for application to budgeting and crisis loans to those in receipt of tax credits; and if he will make a statement. [126108]
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§ Mr. PondSocial fund budgeting loans target help on the neediest people in our society who qualify for income-related benefits.
All families who move from income support or jobseeker's allowance to child tax credit only will be entitled to the maximum amount of child tax credit up to an annual household income of £13,230. These families can therefore gain considerably from the introduction of the child tax credit.
Crisis loans will continue to be 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.