Vol. 430 No. 7
69 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare the estimated cost of extending the right of claiming full rate of benefit when sick or unemployed to widows and other lone parents; and if he will make a statement on whether widows would qualify on the same terms as others for these benefits.
The social welfare system does not normally allow weekly payment under two separate schemes simultaneously. An exception, however, is made in the case of recipients of widow's contributory pension, lone parent's allowance and other analogous payments. In certain instances they may qualify for unemployment benefit or short term disability benefit in addition to their pension or allowance, subject to the usual qualifying conditions. Benefit in such cases is paid at half the personal rate in addition to the full-rate pension.
The cost of allowing widows and lone parents to qualify for the full rate of short term disability benefit and unemployment benefit in addition to their pensions would be in the region of £4 million a year.
