The Social Security (National Insurance Number Information: Exemption) Regulations 1997

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations further amend the Social Security (Attendance Allowance) Regulations 1991, the Council Tax Benefit (General) Regulations 1992, the Social Security (Disability Living Allowance) Regulations 1991, the Disability Working Allowance (General) Regulations 1991, the Family Credit (General) Regulations 1987, the Social Security (Guardian’s Allowances) Regulations 1975, the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987, the Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) Regulations 1994, the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987, the Social Security (Invalid Care Allowance) Regulations 1976, the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996, the Social Security (Maternity Allowance) Regulations 1987, the Social Security (Severe Disablement Allowance) Regulations 1984, and the Social Security (Widow’s Benefit and Retirement Pensions) Regulations 1979.

These Regulations provide that certain benefits and certain categories of person are exempt from section 1(1A) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992; section 1(1A) provides that, when benefit is claimed, information must be supplied relating to the national insurance number of the person claiming benefit and any other person in respect of whom benefit is claimed. These Regulations specify that some of the exemptions will apply for a limited period; where no time limit is specified the exemption applies indefinitely.

These Regulations are made before the end of six months beginning with the coming into force of section 19 of the Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997; they are accordingly exempt from referral to the Social Security Advisory Committee under section 173(5)(b) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 and have not been so referred.

These Regulations do not impose any costs on business.