§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if people in receipt of disability living allowance will be exempt from attending the ONE interview for the single work-focused gateway. [87280]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithIn twelve ONE pilot areas from April next year, subject to the passage of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill through Parliament, anyone of working age, who is working for less than sixteen hours per week and claiming one or more of the income replacement benefits listed in the Bill, will be required to participate in a work-focused interview as a condition of receiving that benefit. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is not specified as one of these benefits, as it is not an income replacement benefit. Accordingly, this means that anyone receiving only DLA, and no other benefits, will not be required to participate in an interview. Claimants of DLA only will continue to claim directly via the regional Disability Benefits Centre.