The Social Security (Housing Costs Special Arrangements) (Amendment and Modification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008

Modification of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations

5.  Schedule 2 (housing costs) to the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations applies in relation to a person to whom this Part applies as if—

(a)after paragraph 4 (housing costs not met) there were inserted—

Housing costs: limitation applicable to qualifying loans

4A.(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3), no amount may be met in respect of housing costs under paragraph 14 or 15 where the claimant has been in receipt of housing costs under either or both of those paragraphs for a total of 104 weeks.

(2) No week in which the appropriate amount specified in paragraph 10(4) is £100,000 in relation to that claimant is to count towards the 104 week total.

(3) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply where—

(a)the claimant or his or her partner or, if the claimant is a member of a joint-claim couple, the other member of the couple, was previously entitled to income support or employment and support allowance, and

(b)12 weeks or less has elapsed since the last day of that entitlement and the first day of entitlement to a jobseeker’s allowance.;

(b)in paragraph 6(1) (existing housing costs) the reference to “26” were to “13” in both places where it occurs;

(c)in paragraph 7(1) (new housing costs) the reference to “39” were to “13”;

(d)in paragraph 10(4) (general provisions applying to new and existing housing costs) the reference to “£100,000” were to “£200,000”;

(e)in paragraph 13(11) (linking rule)—

(i)in head (a) the reference to “26” were to “13”;

(ii)in head (b) the reference to “39” were to “13”.