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.