C3C4C5C6C7PART 2Universal credit
Pt. 2 modified (1.1.2021) by The Social Security (Norway) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/357), arts. 1(2), 2, Sch.
Pt. 2 modified (coming into force in accordance with art. 1 of the amending Rule) by The Social Security (Switzerland) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/277), arts. 1(2), 2(2)(g), Sch.
Pts. 2, 5 modified (coming into operation in accordance with art. 1(1) of the amending S.R.) by The Social Security (Iceland) (Liechtenstein) (Norway) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/181), arts. 1(1), 2, Sch.
Pt. 2 modified (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(3) of the amending Rule) by The Social Security (Gibraltar) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (S.R. 2024/21), art. 2(2)(g)
CHAPTER 1Entitlement and awards
Elements of an award
Standard allowanceI1I5I9I13I17I21I25I2914
1
The calculation of an award of universal credit is to include an amount by way of an allowance for—
a
a single claimant, or
b
joint claimants.
2
Regulations are to specify the amount to be included under paragraph (1).
3
Regulations may provide for exceptions to paragraph (1).
Responsibility for children and young personsI2I6I10I14I18I22I26I3015
1
The calculation of an award of universal credit is to include an amount for each child or qualifying young person for whom a claimant is responsible.
F11A
But the amount mentioned in paragraph (1) is to be available in respect of a maximum of two persons who are either children or qualifying young persons for whom a claimant is responsible.
2
3
Regulations are to specify, or provide for the calculation of, amounts to be included under paragraph (1) or (2).
4
Regulations may provide for exceptions to paragraph (1) F4or (1A) .
5
In this Part, “qualifying young person” means a person of a prescribed description.
Housing costsI3I7I11I15I19I23I27I3116
C1C21
The calculation of an award of universal credit is to include an amount in respect of any liability of a claimant to make payments in respect of the accommodation the claimant occupies as his or her home.
2
For the purposes of paragraph (1)—
a
the accommodation must be in Northern Ireland;
b
the accommodation must be residential accommodation;
c
it is immaterial whether the accommodation consists of the whole or part of a building and whether or not it comprises separate and self-contained premises.
3
Regulations may make provision as to—
a
what is meant by payments in respect of accommodation for the purposes of this ArticleF6...;
b
circumstances in which a claimant is to be treated as liable or not liable to make such payments;
c
circumstances in which a claimant is to be treated as occupying or not occupying accommodation as his or her home (and, in particular, for temporary absences to be disregarded);
d
circumstances in which land used for the purposes of any accommodation is to be treated as included in the accommodation.
4
Regulations are to provide for the determination or calculation of any amount to be included under this Article.
5
Regulations may—
a
provide for exceptions to paragraph (1);
b
provide for inclusion of an amount under this Article in the calculation of an award of universal credit—
i
to end at a prescribed time, or
ii
not to start until a prescribed time.
Other particular needs or circumstancesI4I8I12I16I20I24I28I3217
1
The calculation of an award of universal credit is to include amounts in respect of such particular needs or circumstances of a claimant as may be prescribed.
2
The needs or circumstances prescribed under paragraph (1) may include—
F5a
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
b
the fact that a claimant has limited capability for work and work-related activity;
c
the fact that a claimant has regular and substantial caring responsibilities for a severely disabled person.
3
Regulations are to specify, or provide for the determination or calculation of, any amount to be included under paragraph (1).
4
Regulations may—
a
provide for inclusion of an amount under this Article in the calculation of an award of universal credit—
i
to end at a prescribed time, or
ii
not to start until a prescribed time;
b
provide for the manner in which a claimant's needs or circumstances are to be determined.
Pt. 2 modified (coming into operation in accordance with art. 1 of the amending Rule) by The Social Security (Ireland) Order (Northern Ireland) 2019 (S.R. 2019/77), art. 2; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)