§ Mr. John HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if those multiple sclerosis sufferers who are under pensionable age and who because of the varying effects of the condition work intermittently, thereby failing to meet the two-year period requirement, will be taken into account for disregard payment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottWhere entitlement to income support is interrupted for longer than eight weeks because a member of a couple is in work, it will be necessary for them to receive benefit for a futher two years in order to qualify for the higher earnings disregard. However, multiple sclerosis sufferers will qualify sooner if they are entitled to the disability premium. Entitlement to the disability premium depends on whether the person satisfies the criteria for receiving it, as set out in paragraphs 11 and 12 of schedule 2 to the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987.