This report considers the role of the discretionary Social Fund in combating poverty
and possible reforms to the scheme. It is mainly based upon secondary analysis of
the Family Resources Survey and the Expenditure and Food Survey and qualitative
research with benefit recipients: both discretionary Social Fund applicants and nonapplicants,
and people from a range of socio-economic backgrounds. Participants in
the qualitative research discussed times of particular financial hardship, experiences of the Social Fund and possible reforms to the Social Fund
