Article 34 of the 1986 Order
7. At the end of paragraph (1) add “in such form and manner as may be prescribed”.
8. After paragraph (1) insert the following paragraph—
“(1A) The power to make a payment out of the social fund under Article 33(2)(b) may be exercised by making a payment to a third party with a view to the third party providing, or arranging for the provision of, goods or services for the applicant.”.
9. After paragraph (4) insert the following paragraph—
“(4A) An award that is to be repayable shall be repayable upon such terms and conditions as before the award is paid the Department notifies to the person by or on behalf of whom the application for it was made.”.
10. In paragraph (9)(e) for “(8)” substitute “(8A) to (8D)”.
11. After paragraph (10) insert the following paragraph—
“(10A) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (10), the power to issue general directions conferred on the Department by that paragraph includes power to direct—
(a)that in circumstances specified in the direction a social fund officer shall not determine an application and, without prejudice to the generality of this sub-paragraph, that a social fund officer shall not determine an application which is made before the end of a specified period after the making of an application by the same person for a payment such as is mentioned in Article 33(2)(b) to meet the same need and without there having been any relevant change of circumstances since the previous application;
(b)that for a category of need specified in the direction a social fund officer shall not award less than an amount specified in the direction;
(c)that for a category of need specified in the direction a social fund officer shall not award more than an amount so specified;
(d)that payments to meet a category of need specified in the direction shall in all cases or in no case be made by instalments; and
(e)that payments to meet a category of need specified in the direction shall in all cases or in no case be repayable,
and the power to issue general guidance conferred on the Department by that paragraph includes power to give social fund officers guidance as to any matter to which directions under that paragraph may relate.”.