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SOCIAL SECURITY

Sensory Impairments

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps her Department plans to take to ensure that people with sensory impairments are not disproportionately affected by the proposed changes to the backdating of benefits. [16124]

1 Dec 1997 : Column: 98

Mr. Keith Bradley: The proposed rules will provide for up to one month's automatic backdating for non-income-related benefits and up to one month's backdating of claims for income-related benefits in specified situations. This will include circumstances where the person is deaf and/or blind and has no relative, friend or adviser to assist them in making a claim.

Students (Benefits)

Mr. Welsh: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the cost of allowing students to claim (a) income support during the summer months and (b) housing benefit; what plans she has to introduce income support and housing benefit for students; and if she will make a statement. [18549]

Mr. Keith Bradley: The information required on which to base a reliable estimate of the cost is not available.

The primary source of financial support for full-time students is the student support system, which is specifically designed to meet their needs. Social Security is not. Certain students in prescribed vulnerable groups (including lone parents and students with disabilities) are entitled to benefits in recognition of the additional difficulties they may face in continuing with their studies. The majority of full-time students are not entitled to benefits and we have no plans to alter those arrangements.