b) improbability of obtaining employment (especially for those cla-
ssified as "light labourer");
ce) any special needs of the family;
ad) evidence that the family cannot manage on their present income
(e.g. they are going short of necessities or getting into debt).
2e The man's potential earnings may have been under-estimated. It is
useful to find out what the local authority is paying for labouring jobs.
3% The estimate of potential earnings may not have been based on the man's
normal occupation, as required by the Act. It is particularly important to
ensure that the normal occupation is taken into account if the man has worked
temporarily in a lower-paid job or has been offered such work.
4. It may be possible to argue that the man is so unlikely to find work
that he should not be required to register for work (he could still do so voluntarily). There would then be no need to apply the wage stop. For this purpose, information about local employment prospects will be usefull. 1. The wage stop is permissive for the sick - iee. the Supplementary Benefits Commission is not obliged to impose it. It is therefore always posse ible to appeal on the grounds that the farily is being caused unnecessary hardship and that any possible disincentive effect of paying him more than his potential earnings is irrelevant so long as he is physically unable to work. 2. It can be claimed that his potential earnings have been underestimated. 3. The wage stop can only be applied in cases of temporary sickness. If the illness is clearly of a long-term nature this may be an additional ground for appealing. Further copies can be obtained from the Group at 1, Macklin St., London, W. C. 2.