Commentary on Sections Part 3: Other benefit changes Section 73: External provider social loans and community care grants
353.Provision was made in the WRA 2009 for loans to be made by external lenders in place of loans from the social fund and for awards of community care grants to be of items covered by contracts entered into by the Secretary of State. These provisions have not been commenced and the Government does not intend to use them, given its intention to abolish the discretionary social fund (see section 69). Section 73 therefore repeals sections 16 to 21 of the WRA 2009. Budgeting loans and those crisis loans called “alignment loans” (which are available pending payment of benefit) will be replaced by payments on account (see section 101). The Government intends that, when community care grants and those crisis loans which are not alignment loans cease to exist, assistance will instead be administered locally. Local authorities in England will be free to deliver support in whatever form they consider is most appropriate. The Devolved Administrations will determine the most appropriate arrangements for Scotland and Wales.