§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of those potentially eligible for the disability working allowance have partners in paid employment.
§ Mr. ScottWe estimate that a small number of people, probably less than 5,000, of those eligible for disability working allowance have partners in paid employment.
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§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what will be the(a) threshold levels, (b) taper percentage and (c) maximum benefit levels for the proposed disability working allowance.
§ Mr. ScottIllustrative rates for disability working allowance—DWA—are contained in the note on DWA published on 12 November, a copy of which was placed in the Library. The level at which the benefit will be introduced in April 1992 will be settled nearer the time, subject to the passage of the Disability Living Allowance and Disability Working Allowance Bill.
§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what circumstances the disability working allowance may be awarded for a period either more than or less than 26 weeks; whether any circumstances relating to the claimant's own personal circumstances entitle a claimant to have the amount of his award reviewed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottNormally awards of disability working allowance will be made for 26 weeks, but if large numbers of claims are received in advance of the start of the scheme it might, for operational reasons, be necessary to stagger awards to even out renewal claims. Awards will be reviewed, and terminated, only in prescribed circumstances: that is, if a single claimant or both members of a couple die or if a child of the claimant's family leaves and joins another family and income support, family credit or another award of disability working allowance becomes payable in respect of him or her.