Acquired Brain Injury

HC Deb 07 July 1998 vol 315 cc443-4W

Mr. Hurst

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what account is taken of psychological and

Not all beneficiaries of the minimum wage or all benefit recipients will experience a reduction in benefit as a consequence of the introduction of a minimum wage.

The information requested is set out in the table. Recipients of more than one benefit are counted against each benefit they receive, therefore figures for each benefit cannot be added together.

cognitive impairments arising from acquired brain injury in application of the all work test and the grant of incapacity benefit. [48319]

Mr. Denham

The all work test determines whether, as a result of disability arising solely from their medical condition, a person should be regarded as incapable of doing work of any kind for purposes of entitlement to incapacity benefits. The test assesses the effects of physical, sensory and mental disabilities in specified areas of activity.

The test is not applied to people with severe mental disabilities, who are identified early in the process from medical evidence, and exempted. People with less severe mental disabilities are assessed, by a specially trained doctor, in a wide range of activities relating to completion of tasks, daily living, coping with pressure and interaction with other people.