Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 28 November 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 December 2002. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Thursday, 19 December 2002 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the arrangements are for customers to apply for and receive a crisis loan when they live a long way from the office that decides upon crisis loan applications.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the arrangements are for customers to apply for and receive a crisis loan when they live a long way from the office that decides upon crisis loan applications. [85290] Malcolm Wicks: We recognise that crisis loan applicants normally require a same day service. Individual managers understand local problems and geography and are responsible for making suitable arrangements for the delivery of, and access to, all locally-administered benefits including the Social Fund. Exceptionally, where a customer is unable to visit their local office, for example an elderly or disabled person with restricted mobility, or a person who lives a long way from the office and who has no access to suitable transport, they may contact the office by telephone to request a home visit. If the information given by the applicant indicates that a crisis loan is likely to be awarded, a visit may be made for the application to be completed and, where appropriate, the loan to be paid. We believe that the current arrangements are sufficiently flexible to support a good standard of delivery to customers, regardless of their location.

Secondary information