Deferment of requirement to take part in an interviewE+W+S

7.—(1) An officer may determine, in the case of any particular person, that the requirement to take part in an interview shall be deferred at the time the claim is made or the requirement to take part in an interview arises or applies because an interview would not at that time—

(a)be of assistance to that person; or

(b)be appropriate in the circumstances.

(2) Where the officer determines in accordance with paragraph (1) that the requirement to take part in an interview shall be deferred, he shall also determine when that determination is made, the time when the requirement to take part in an interview is to apply in the person’s case.

(3) Where a requirement to take part in an interview has been deferred in accordance with paragraph (1), then until—

(a)a determination is made under regulation 6(1);

(b)the person takes part in an interview; or

(c)a relevant decision has been made in relation to that person in accordance with regulation 11(4),

that person shall be treated for the purposes of any claim for, or entitlement to, a specified benefit as having complied with that requirement.