The Government has published its consultation document (Green Paper) on Social Fund reform in England, Wales and Scotland. The Social Fund is a scheme to help people with one off expenses that are difficult to meet on a low income. Some of the paper’s proposals are:

• providing ‘goods and services' instead of cash for community care grants
• instituting a simplified budgeting loan structure
• provision of financial health checks

Copies of the document entitled: "Social Fund reform: debt, credit and low income households" are available on the DWP website. http://www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/2010/social-fund-reform.shtml
The closing date for responses is 7 June 2010.