Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether a sum held in the Court Funds Office continues to be treated as administered by the court under regulation 75(5) of the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 after a deputy for property and financial affairs has been appointed by the Court of Protection; and what guidance his Department gives decision makers on this.

Where a deputy for property and financial affairs has been appointed by the Court of Protection, the effect on the application of regulation 75(5) will depend on whether the funds continue to be administered by the court or remain subject to disposal only by direction of the court. This is a matter for decision makers to determine on the facts of the individual case, having regard to the relevant court orders, the legislation and the nature of the arrangements in place. Departmental decision makers are provided with guidance on the consideration of capital and the application of the Universal Credit Regulations.