§ Ms. ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if, when calculating housing benefit, it will be assumed that a claimant eligible for disability working allowance has claimed and is receiving it; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe determination of a claim for housing benefit is a matter for the local authority concerned. Regulations provide that in making that determination, a claimant shall be treated as possessing certain income which would become available if he applied for it. However, the qualifying conditions for disability working allowance are such that the local authority would not normally be able to anticipate the outcome of a claim for that benefit. We would not therefore expect disability working allowance to be taken into account as income until entitlement has been established and benefit awarded.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what alternatives he is considering to the disability working allowance scheme before it is introduced; and if he will make a statement.