Invalidity Benefit (Hansard, 14 February 1994)

§ Mr. Gordon Brown
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were taken off invalidity benefit in Fife in 1993 and in(a) the first three months and (b) the last three months of 1993.

§ Mr. Scott
The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

§ Mr. Bradley
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if existing claimants of invalidity benefit who pass the new incapacity test will continue to receive benefit at the rate of their previous invalidity benefit if(a) they start therapuetic work, (b) they start voluntary work, (c) they go abroad for fewer than eight weeks or (d) they go into hospital for fewer than eight weeks.

§ Mr. Scott
Existing claimants of invalidity benefit whose incapacity benefit is paid at their previous rate of invalidity benefit will continue to be entitled to incapacity benefit at that rate for as long as their period of incapacity for work continues unless an adult dependency increase ceases to be payable for more than eight weeks. In this case the new rules governing that increase will then apply.
Benefit would continue at the invalidity benefit rate for people who start working and satisfy the new therapeutic work rules or voluntary work rules. It would also continue for a period abroad of less than eight weeks, except in some exceptional circumstances when payment may cease. Where a person is in hospital for a period in excess of six weeks the normal hospital downrating rules will apply. At the end of that period in hospital, or a period of less than eight weeks abroad, the previous rate of benefit would again apply.

§ Mr. Bradley
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if existing claimants of invalidity benefit who pass the new incapacity test will continue to receive the same level of allowances for adult and child dependants as their previous invalidity benefit; and under what circumstances these allowances could be reduced or lost.

§ Mr. Scott
The replacement of invalidity benefit by incapacity benefit will make no difference to provision for child dependants for those people on invalidity benefit at the point of change. The rules on adult dependants will change but all those transferring from invalidity benefit will be protected, including those who are required to satisfy the new incapacity test. The Government propose, however, that the new rules should apply if an adult dependency increase ceases to be paid for more than eight weeks, or two years in the case of people who receive disability working allowance or undertake training for work.