In accordance with section 146(5) and (6) of the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, the Department is required to prepare an annual report on the operation of the Social Fund and to lay the report before the Assembly.
The Social Fund is a regulated scheme made up of Sure Start Maternity Grants, Funeral Expenses Payments, Cold Weather Payments and Winter Fuel Payments, and a discretionary scheme of Budgeting Loans.
The report is a factual account of the operation of the Social Fund scheme during the past financial year.
Report on the Social Fund - Annual Report 2020/21