PART 2 N.I.Universal credit

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 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)

C2 Pt. 2 modified (1.1.2021) by The Social Security (Norway) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/357), arts. 1(2), 2, Sch.

C3 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.

C4 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.

C5 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 2 N.I.Claimant responsibilities

Work-related requirements N.I.

Work-focused interview requirement N.I.

20.—(1) In this Part a “work-focused interview requirement” is a requirement that a claimant participate in one or more work-focused interviews as specified by the Department.

(2) A work-focused interview is an interview for prescribed purposes relating to work or work preparation.

(3) The purposes which may be prescribed under paragraph (2) include in particular that of making it more likely in the opinion of the Department that the claimant will obtain paid work (or more paid work or better-paid work).

(4) The Department may specify how, when and where a work-focused interview is to take place.

Commencement Information

I1 Art. 20 in operation at 2.5.2016 for specified purposes by S.R. 2016/215, art. 2(2)(b)(i)

I2 Art. 20 in operation at 27.9.2017 for specified purposes by S.R. 2017/190, art. 4(3)-(6), Sch. 1 (with art. 5)

I3 Art. 20 in operation at 15.11.2017 and 13.12.2017 for specified purposes by S.R. 2017/216, art. 3 (with art. 6) (as amended (15.1.2018) by S.R. 2018/1, art. 7)

I4 Art. 20 in operation at 17.1.2018 and further specified dates for specified purposes by S.R. 2018/1, art. 3 (with art. 6)

I5 Art. 20 in operation at 16.5.2018 and further specified dates for specified purposes by S.R. 2018/97, art. 3 (with art. 6)

I6 Art. 20 in force at 5.9.2018 and further specified dates for specified purposes by S.R. 2018/138, art. 3 (with art. 6)

I7 Art. 20 in force at 1.2.2019 for specified purposes by S.R. 2019/7, art. 2(1)-(3) (with art. 2(4)(11))

I8 Art. 20 in operation at 30.3.2022 in so far as not already in operation by S.R. 2022/132, art. 3 (with arts. 4, 5, Sch.)

Work preparation requirement N.I.

21.—(1) In this Part a “work preparation requirement” is a requirement that a claimant take particular action specified by the Department for the purpose of making it more likely in the opinion of the Department that the claimant will obtain paid work (or more paid work or better-paid work).

(2) The Department may under paragraph (1) specify the time to be devoted to any particular action.

(3) Action which may be specified under paragraph (1) includes in particular—

(a) attending a skills assessment;

(b) improving personal presentation;

(c) participating in training;

(d) participating in an employment programme;

(e) undertaking work experience or a work placement;

(f) developing a business plan;

(g) any action prescribed for the purpose in paragraph (1).

(4) In the case of a person with limited capability for work, the action which may be specified under paragraph (1) includes taking part in a work-focused health-related assessment.

(5) In paragraph (4) “work-focused health-related assessment” means an assessment by a health care professional approved by the Department which is carried out for the purpose of assessing—

(a) the extent to which the person's capability for work may be improved by taking steps in relation to that person's physical or mental condition, and

(b) such other matters relating to that person's physical or mental condition and the likelihood of that person obtaining or remaining in work or being able to do so as may be prescribed.

(6) In paragraph (5) “health care professional” means—

(a) a registered medical practitioner,

(b) a registered nurse,

(c) an occupational therapist or physiotherapist registered with a regulatory body established by an Order in Council under section 60 of the Health Act 1999, or

(d) a member of such other profession regulated by a body mentioned in section 25(3) of the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 as may be prescribed.

Commencement Information

I9 Art. 21 in operation at 2.5.2016 for specified purposes by S.R. 2016/215, art. 2(2)(b)(i)

I10 Art. 21 in operation at 27.9.2017 for specified purposes by S.R. 2017/190, art. 4(3)-(6), Sch. 1 (with art. 5)

I11 Art. 21 in operation at 15.11.2017 and 13.12.2017 for specified purposes by S.R. 2017/216, art. 3 (with art. 6) (as amended (15.1.2018) by S.R. 2018/1, art. 7)

I12 Art. 21 in operation at 17.1.2018 and further specified dates for specified purposes by S.R. 2018/1, art. 3 (with art. 6)

I13 Art. 21 in operation at 16.5.2018 and further specified dates for specified purposes by S.R. 2018/97, art. 3 (with art. 6)

I14 Art. 21 in force at 5.9.2018 and further specified dates for specified purposes by S.R. 2018/138, art. 3 (with art. 6)

I15 Art. 21 in force at 1.2.2019 for specified purposes by S.R. 2019/7, art. 2(1)-(3) (with art. 2(4)(11))

I16 Art. 21 in operation at 30.3.2022 in so far as not already in operation by S.R. 2022/132, art. 3 (with arts. 4, 5, Sch.)

Work search requirement N.I.

22.—(1) In this Part a “work search requirement” is a requirement that a claimant take—

(a) all reasonable action, and

(b) any particular action specified by the Department,

for the purpose of obtaining paid work (or more paid work or better-paid work).

(2) The Department may under paragraph (1)(b) specify the time to be devoted to any particular action.

(3) Action which may be specified under paragraph (1)(b) includes in particular—

(a) carrying out work searches;

(b) making applications;

(c) creating and maintaining an online profile;

(d) registering with an employment agency;

(e) seeking references;

(f) any action prescribed for the purpose in paragraph (1).

(4) Regulations may impose limitations on a work search requirement by reference to the work to which it relates; and the Department may in any particular case specify further such limitations on such a requirement.

(5) A limitation under paragraph (4) may in particular be by reference to—

(a) work of a particular nature,

(b) work with a particular level of remuneration,

(c) work in particular locations, or

(d) work available for a certain number of hours per week or at particular times,

and may be indefinite or for a particular period.

Commencement Information

I17 Art. 22 in operation at 2.5.2016 for specified purposes by S.R. 2016/215, art. 2(2)(b)(i)

I18 Art. 22 in operation at 27.9.2017 for specified purposes by S.R. 2017/190, art. 4(3)-(6), Sch. 1 (with art. 5)

I19 Art. 22 in operation at 15.11.2017 and 13.12.2017 for specified purposes by S.R. 2017/216, art. 3 (with art. 6) (as amended (15.1.2018) by S.R. 2018/1, art. 7)

I20 Art. 22 in operation at 17.1.2018 and further specified dates for specified purposes by S.R. 2018/1, art. 3 (with art. 6)

I21 Art. 22 in operation at 16.5.2018 and further specified dates for specified purposes by S.R. 2018/97, art. 3 (with art. 6)

I22 Art. 22 in force at 5.9.2018 and further specified dates for specified purposes by S.R. 2018/138, art. 3 (with art. 6)

I23 Art. 22 in force at 1.2.2019 for specified purposes by S.R. 2019/7, art. 2(1)-(3) (with art. 2(4)(11))

I24 Art. 22 in operation at 30.3.2022 in so far as not already in operation by S.R. 2022/132, art. 3 (with arts. 4, 5, Sch.)

Work availability requirement N.I.

23.—(1) In this Part a “work availability requirement” is a requirement that a claimant be available for work.

(2) For the purposes of this Article “available for work” means able and willing immediately to take up paid work (or more paid work or better-paid work).

(3) Regulations may impose limitations on a work availability requirement by reference to the work to which it relates; and the Department may in any particular case specify further such limitations on such a requirement.

(4) A limitation under paragraph (3) may in particular be by reference to—

(a) work of a particular nature,

(b) work with a particular level of remuneration,

(c) work in particular locations, or

(d) work available for a certain number of hours per week or at particular times,

and may be indefinite or for a particular period.

(5) Regulations may for the purposes of paragraph (2) define what is meant by a person being able and willing immediately to take up work.

Commencement Information

I25 Art. 23 in operation at 2.5.2016 for specified purposes by S.R. 2016/215, art. 2(2)(b)(i)

I26 Art. 23 in operation at 27.9.2017 for specified purposes by S.R. 2017/190, art. 4(3)-(6), Sch. 1 (with art. 5)

I27 Art. 23 in operation at 15.11.2017 and 13.12.2017 for specified purposes by S.R. 2017/216, art. 3 (with art. 6) (as amended (15.1.2018) by S.R. 2018/1, art. 7)

I28 Art. 23 in operation at 17.1.2018 and further specified dates for specified purposes by S.R. 2018/1, art. 3 (with art. 6)

I29 Art. 23 in operation at 16.5.2018 and further specified dates for specified purposes by S.R. 2018/97, art. 3 (with art. 6)

I30 Art. 23 in force at 5.9.2018 and further specified dates for specified purposes by S.R. 2018/138, art. 3 (with art. 6)

I31 Art. 23 in force at 1.2.2019 for specified purposes by S.R. 2019/7, art. 2(1)-(3) (with art. 2(4)(11))

I32 Art. 23 in operation at 30.3.2022 in so far as not already in operation by S.R. 2022/132, art. 3 (with arts. 4, 5, Sch.)