Over the years different methods of assessing the value of capital have been applied to the various social assistance schemes. However, more recently the process of standardising the assessment of capital across the different social assistance schemes has been initiated, so as to improve the equity of the system. The introduction of disability allowance scheme in October 1996 and the one-parent family payment scheme in January 1997 presented the opportunity to commence this process. Under the new assessment provisions, the first £2,000 of capital is disregarded, the next £20,000 is assessed at 7.5 per cent of the capital value and the balance is assessed at 15 per cent.