The Benefits of hindsight

Gary
Vaux offers his seasonal opportunity to impress colleagues with your knowledge
of the benefit system – and win a £25 book token.

Now
in its third year, the Community Care Welfare Rights quiz offers the
chance to win a £25 book token. It is based on the events of 2001. Send your
answers on a postcard to Gary Vaux, c/o Community Care, Welfare Quiz,
H320, Quadrant House, The Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS. Don’t forget to put
your name and address on it. All cards with the correct answers will be entered
into a draw. Answers must be submitted by 1 February. Normal competition rules
apply.

1
The DWP was created in 2001. What do the initials stand for?

A
Department for Wealth and Poverty.

B
Department for Workers and Pensioners.

C
Department for Work and Pensions.

D
Department of Work and Pensions.

2
In April 2001, the minimum income guarantee for a non-disabled single pensioner
was set atÉ?

A
£93.15 per week.

B
£92.15 per week.

C
£91.15 per week.

D
£90.15 per week.

3
Discretionary housing payments were introduced in 2001 and are part of?

A
Housing benefit.

B
Income support.

C
Working families tax credit.

D
Council tax benefit.

4
Which of these benefits was abolished for new claimants in 2001?

A
Widows’ pension.

B
Severe disablement allowance.

C
Widowed mother’s allowance.

D
Family credit.

5
Alma Baldwin of Coronation Street died in 2001. What could Mike Baldwin claim
as a result?

A
Bereavement pension.

B
Bereavement payment.

C
Bereavement allowance.

D
Nothing.

6
The Supporting People programme relies on THBS. What is THBS?

A
Transitional Housing Benefit Scheme.

B
Temporary Housing Benefit Scheme.

C
Total Housing Benefit Saving.

D
Transitional Housing Budgeting Scheme.

7
Lisa from EastEnders had a baby in 2001. If she lived alone and claimed income
support, who would be liable for child support?

A
Mark Fowler.

B
Phil Mitchell.

C
Grant Mitchell.

D
Peggy Mitchell.

8
The Benefits Agency launched a new benefit guide (WK11) in April 2001. It was
aimed at people affected byÉ?

A
Flooding.

B
Unemployment.

C
Foot and mouth.

D
Ill-health.

9
Job Centre Plus is the new organisation formed in 2001 by the merger between
the Job Centre and what?

A
McDonalds.

B
Benefits Agency.

C
Social services.

D
Tax offices.

10
The staff in Job Centre Plus took industrial action in late 2001 because?

A
They didn’t like the new uniforms.

B
They wanted security screens.

C
They didn’t like the new name.

D
They wanted extra pay for the extra responsibilities.

11
The Children (Leaving Care) Act came into effect in October 2001. Many
care-leavers aged 16 or 17 lost the right to claim income support. How long
must care-leavers be in care to be affected?

A
For 14 weeks since their 13th birthday.

B
For 13 weeks since their 14th birthday.

C
Any time since their 14th birthday.

D
One year.

12
www.Rightsnet.org.uk is a welfare rights website provided by?

A
LISA.

B
LOSA.

C
LUSA.

D
LASA.

13
The chief executive of Job Centre Plus was appointed in 2001. His name is?

A
Leigh Lawson.

B
Leigh Lewis.

C
Lee Lewis.

D
Leapy Lee.

14
In October 2001, the national minimum wage for young workers (18-21) rose
to…?

A
£4.10 per hour.

B
£3.50 per hour.

C
£3.75 per hour.

D
£4 per hour.

15
Who is the current shadow secretary of state for work and pensions?

A
Peter Lilley.

B
David Willetts.

C
James Clappison.

D
Tim Boswell.

Gary
Vaux is head of money advice, Hertfordshire Council. He is unable to answer
queries in person. If you have a question to be answered in Welfare Rights,
please write to him c/o Community Care.