(1)In section 38 of the Social Security Act 1998 (c. 14) (reviews of determinations) in subsection (1)—
(a)in paragraph (a), after “social fund determination” insert “other than an excluded determination”, and
(b)in paragraph (b), for “such a determination” substitute “a social fund determination”.
(2)After that subsection insert—
“(1A)For the purposes of subsection (1)(a) an “excluded determination” is any determination to award a community care grant where the award is expressed as the award of a payment for goods or services specified in the award, other than such a determination made in prescribed circumstances.”
(3)After section 122G of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c. 5) insert—
(1)In this section “relevant supplier” means—
(a)a person with whom the Secretary of State has made arrangements of the kind mentioned in section 140(4)(ca)(iii) of the Contributions and Benefits Act (arrangements for supply of goods or services in connection with community care grants), or
(b)a person providing services to such a person.
(2)Regulations may make provision authorising the Secretary of State, or a person providing services to the Secretary of State, to supply to relevant suppliers information relating to community care grants.
(3)Regulations may make provision authorising or requiring relevant suppliers to supply to the Secretary of State or a person providing services to the Secretary of State, information relating to the operation of the arrangements.
(4)Regulations under this section must specify the purposes for which information may be supplied by virtue of subsection (2) or (3), which must be purposes connected with community care grants.
(5)Regulations may make provision as to the use or disclosure of information supplied under the regulations (including provision creating criminal offences).
(6)In this section “community care grant” has the same meaning as in Part 8 of the Contributions and Benefits Act.”