PART 3Working-age benefits
CHAPTER 3Income support
Claimant commitment for income support65
1
The Contributions and Benefits Act is amended as follows.
2
In section 123 (income support)—
a
in subsection (1), after paragraph (e) insert—
ea
he has accepted a claimant commitment;
b
after subsection (1B) insert—
1C
Regulations may prescribe circumstances in which a person may be entitled to income support without having accepted a claimant commitment.
3
After that section insert—
123AClaimant commitment
1
For the purposes of this Part a “claimant commitment” is a record of the claimant's responsibilities in relation to an award of income support.
2
A claimant commitment is to be prepared by the Department or the Department for Employment and Learning and may be reviewed and updated as that department thinks fit.
3
A claimant commitment is to be in such form as the Department thinks fit.
4
A claimant commitment is to include—
a
any prescribed information, and
b
any other information the Department or the Department for Employment and Learning considers it appropriate to include.
5
For the purposes of section 123 and this section a claimant accepts a claimant commitment if, and only if, the claimant accepts the most up-to-date version of it in such manner as may be prescribed.
6
Regulations may provide that in prescribed circumstances, a claimant is to be treated as having satisfied the condition mentioned in section 123(1)(ea).
4
In section 2F of the Administration Act (directions about work-related activity), in subsection (3)(b), for the words from “by” to “2E” substitute “
in such manner as the Department thinks fit
”
.
5
In section 2G of that Act (contracting out), after subsection (1)(c) insert—
d
any function under section 123A of the Contributions and Benefits Act in relation to a claimant commitment.