§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) whether people with HIV on income support qualify for any specific benefits related to the needs caused by their HIV antibody status;
(2) if he is intending to review the six month qualification period necessary to receive the disability premium for people with HIV infection on income support.
§ Mr. ScottPeople whose HIV antibody status renders them incapable of work can qualify for the income support disability premiums on the same basis as all other sick and disabled people. There are no benefits specifically for people with HIV. But those who receive payments from the Macfarlane trust receive the full benefit of such payments, which are disregarded in the calculation of their income support entitlement. We have given a commitment to review the qualifying conditions for the disability, and other, premiums in the light of our continued monitoring of the scheme and the results of the OPCS surveys into disabilities.