Amendment of the Work-focused Interviews Regulations from the day after the day on which these Regulations are made8
1
The Work-focused Interviews Regulations are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (7).
2
In regulation 3(1)16 (continuing entitlement to a specified benefit dependent on an interview) for “5 to 8” substitute “3A and 5 to 8”.
3
After regulation 3 insert—
Requirement for certain lone parents to take part in an interview3A
1
This regulation applies to a lone parent who—
a
is entitled to income support and is a person to whom paragraph 1 (lone parents) of Schedule 1B to the Income Support (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 applies;
b
does not fall within any other paragraph of that Schedule, and
c
is responsible for and living in the same household as—
i
a single child aged 9, 10 or 11, or
ii
more than one child where the youngest is aged 9, 10 or 11.
2
Subject to regulations 5 to 8, a lone parent to whom this regulation applies is required to take part in an interview every 13 weeks after he—
a
last took part,
b
last failed to take part, or
c
was last treated as having taken part,
in an interview.
3
A lone parent who—
a
is required to take part in an interview under this regulation, or
b
has had a requirement to take part in an interview under this regulation waived or deferred,
is not required to take part in an interview under regulation 3 unless this regulation ceases to apply to him.
4
In regulation 4(b)17 (time when interview is to take place) after “3(1)” insert “or 3A(2)”.
5
In regulation 5(2)(a) (waiver of requirement to take part in an interview) for “2 or 3” substitute “2, 3 or 3A”.
6
In regulation 7(1)18 (exemptions) for “3 or 6(2)” substitute “3 or 3A or 6(2)”.
7
In regulation 11(2)(c)19 (failure to take part in an interview) for “3” substitute “3 or 3A”.