How many cases there were of applicants to the Benefits Agency seeking help with funeral bills in Scotland in 1993; and of these how many were refused on the grounds that the applicant already had repayments to make for a Social Fund loan or loans. - Inc text of letter...

How many cases there were of applicants to the Benefits Agency seeking help with funeral bills in Scotland in 1993; and of these how many were refused on the grounds that the applicant already had repayments to make for a Social Fund loan or loans. - Inc text of letter...

What plans he has to review the inequalities between men and women in the provision of funeral grants. - There is no such inequality.

What plans he has to review the inequalities between men and women in the provision of funeral grants. - There is no such inequality.

If he will issue new guidelines on the granting of Social Fund payments to appointed persons in residential homes to cover the funeral costs of deceased residents, to include recommended timescales for dealing with applications and appeals.

If he will issue new guidelines on the granting of Social Fund payments to appointed persons in residential homes to cover the funeral costs of deceased residents, to include recommended timescales for dealing with applications and appeals.

To comment on the assistance which is available from his Department to assist young orphans with the cost of the provision of the funerals of their parents.

To comment on the assistance which is available from his Department to assist young orphans with the cost of the provision of the funerals of their parents.

What is his estimate of the current cost of providing funeral expenses to those pensioners on income support; and what is the number who have secured such help. - Inc figures.

What is his estimate of the current cost of providing funeral expenses to those pensioners on income support; and what is the number who have secured such help. - Inc figures.

For what reasons his Department refused to authorise the funeral expenses of the late Mrs Ivy Butlin, St. Bernards Hallaton Manor, Leicestershire. - Ref to Michael Bichard, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write & copies will be placed in Library & PIO.

For what reasons his Department refused to authorise the funeral expenses of the late Mrs Ivy Butlin, St. Bernards Hallaton Manor, Leicestershire. - Ref to Michael Bichard, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write & copies will be placed in Library & PIO.

If he will bring forward proposals to allow everybody over 60 years to have the right of a minimum of #400 death grant to help with funeral expenses.

If he will bring forward proposals to allow everybody over 60 years to have the right of a minimum of #400 death grant to help with funeral expenses.

What is estimated annual savings as result of changes made to death benefit payments - Inc figures

What is estimated annual savings as result of changes made to death benefit payments - Inc figures

What guidance he gives to local offices on the cost criteria to be applied to funerals conducted at crematoria as against church funerals and as to what weight to give to these relative costs when asked to provide assistance with meeting these costs; & what guidance his Department gives to...

What guidance he gives to local offices on the cost criteria to be applied to funerals conducted at crematoria as against church funerals and as to what weight to give to these relative costs when asked to provide assistance with meeting these costs; & what guidance his Department gives to...

If there are any plans to review present arrangements re payment of grant towards the work of interment where the deceased person leaves a sum insufficient to meet these costs. - No. (Failed OPQ).

If there are any plans to review present arrangements re payment of grant towards the work of interment where the deceased person leaves a sum insufficient to meet these costs. - No. (Failed OPQ).

How many applications for funeral payments were granted from social fund during last 12 months for which figures are available; & what was average amount paid. - In 12 months ending Nov 1989 a total of 41,247 funeral payments were awarded. The average payment was #522.

How many applications for funeral payments were granted from social fund during last 12 months for which figures are available; & what was average amount paid. - In 12 months ending Nov 1989 a total of 41,247 funeral payments were awarded. The average payment was #522.

To provide payment of funeral grant in cases where a person dies in UK but body is buried elsewhere to cover all costs incurred in UK with exception of air transit costs provided that applicant would qualify in all other respects.

To provide payment of funeral grant in cases where a person dies in UK but body is buried elsewhere to cover all costs incurred in UK with exception of air transit costs provided that applicant would qualify in all other respects.

What records are kept by DSS of average costs of component parts of funeral arrangements - None

What records are kept by DSS of average costs of component parts of funeral arrangements - None

To give national average amount paid in social fund funeral grants - Average for period April to August 1989 was #525

To give national average amount paid in social fund funeral grants - Average for period April to August 1989 was #525