§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the exemption or otherwise from the all work test of those who were incapable of work between 1 December 1993 and 12 April 1995 under the transitional award of Incapacity Benefit. [104423]
§ Mr. BayleyThe all work test was introduced as the means of determining incapacity for work for benefit purposes from 13 April 1995. Under transitional arrangements, people who were entitled to the former 227W invalidity benefit between 1 December 1993 and 12 April 1995 (ignoring breaks of eight weeks or less) and who were aged 58 or over on 13 April 1995 are treated as satisfying the test as long as they continue to provide a doctor's statement as evidence of incapacity. In effect, the all work test is not applied to them.
Similar arrangements were made for people who at the time of the change were entitled to an income-related benefit (Income Support, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit) on the grounds of incapacity for work.