The Independent Living Fund (2006) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order amends—

• the Income Support (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987;

• the Child Support (Maintenance Assessments and Special Cases) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992;

• the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996;

• the State Pension Credit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003;

• the Housing Renewal Grants (Reduction of Grant) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004;

• the Housing Benefit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006, and

• the Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006.

The amendments are consequential upon the coming into force of section 61 of the Welfare Reform Act 2007. Section 61 amends the Disability (Grants) Act 1993 (c. 14) to enable the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Department for Social Development to make grants to the Independent Living Fund (2006). From 1st October 2007, the Independent Living Fund (2006) will operate in place of the Independent Living (Extension) Fund and the Independent Living (1993) Fund.

This Order provides that, in matters of social security, child support and housing, payments from the Independent Living Fund (2006) will be treated in the same way as payments from the Independent Living (Extension) Fund and the Independent Living (1993) Fund. The amendments insert a definition of “the Independent Living Fund (2006)”, include this Fund in the definition of “the Independent Living Funds” and, where necessary within the Regulations, add a reference to this Fund.