The Social Fund: Law And Practice (Law & Practice)

The Social Fund, introduced in 1988, plays a major part in the UK's welfare benefit system. This book split into two sections - a narrative text and an annotation of the relevant legislation and directions - gives a complete rundown of all aspects of this increasingly important feature of the social security system. This second edition has been substantially rewritten to accommodate this fast-changing area of law. Its principal focus is the "discretionary" Social Fund, which includes community care grants, crisis loans, and budgeting loan payments. A revised version of the budgeting loan scheme was introduced in 1999 and receives comprehensive treatment in this edition. There is also an entirely new chapter on the "regulated" Social Fund, i.e., maternity, funeral, and heating expenses. * explains the background to the process and procedure of the Fund * An invaluable practical training tool for SFOs, Inspectors, and other professionals involved in this area * Contains a wealth of relevant technical information and annotated source materials * Covers all new legislation and guidance * Features extended coverage of the Regulated Social Fund, with particular reference to Maternity and Funeral Regulations