Additional functions of local authorities4
1
A local authority to whom Part I of Schedule I to these Regulations applies may conduct a work-focused interview with, or provide assistance to, a person to whom paragraphs (2) and (3) apply, where the interview or assistance is requested or consented to by that person.
2
This paragraph applies to a person who resides in a postcode district identified in Part I of Schedule 2 to these Regulations.
3
This paragraph applies to any person making a claim for, or entitled to, any benefit specified in paragraph (4) and applies whether or not a person has had an interview in accordance with regulations made under section 2A of the Administration Act M1.
4
The benefits specified in this paragraph are—
a
income support;
b
housing benefit;
c
council tax benefit;
d
widow’s benefit;
e
bereavement benefits;
F3ea
bereavement support payment under section 30 of the Pensions Act 2014;
f
incapacity benefit;
g
severe disablement allowance;
h
F2carer’s allowance;
i
a jobseeker’s allowance;
j
disability living allowance.
5
For the purposes of paragraph (1), the request or consent may be made or given to —
a
the local authority conducting the interview or giving the assistance;
b
any person who, or authority which, may be specified as a designated authority for the purposes of section 2A(8) of the Administration Act; or
c
a person designated an employment officer for the purposes of section 9 of the Jobseekers Act 1995 M2.
6
For the purposes of carrying out functions under paragraph (1), a local authority may in particular—
a
obtain and receive information or evidence for the purpose of any work-focused interview to be conducted with that person;
b
arrange for the work-focused interview to be conducted by one of the following —
i
the Secretary of State;
ii
a person providing services to the Secretary of State; or
iii
a person providing services to, or authorised to exercise any function of, the local authority;
c
forward information supplied for the purpose of a work-focused interview to any person or authority conducting that interview;
d
take steps to identify potential employment or training opportunities for persons taking part in work-focused interviews;
F1e
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
f
take steps to identify—
i
obstacles which may hinder a person in taking up employment or training opportunities;
ii
educational opportunities which may assist in reducing or removing such obstacles; and
g
record information supplied at a work-focused interview.