Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will bring forward proposals to amend income support rules to remove the requirement that women who have fled domestic violence with their children, and whose abusive ex-partner has been the recipient of child benefit, must wait until the child benefit award is switched to them before they can receive income support as lone parents.

There are no plans to change the rule that determines whether a person is responsible for a child in Income Support.

Women, or men, leaving the family home with their children because of domestic violence are able to claim other benefits without being paid Child Benefit. These are Universal Credit, or where that is not yet available, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance, along with Housing Benefit.

Victims of domestic violence are not required to be available for work or carry out jobsearch activities in Jobseeker’s Allowance for up to 13 weeks and in Universal Credit for up to 6 months. Throughout this period their Work Coach is available to provide them with full support.