Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Council Tax Benefit (General) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/1814), the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/1971), the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/1967) and the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/207) in so far as those Regulations apply to students.
In particular, they—
amend the definitions of “access funds”, “periods of experience” and of “sandwich course” (regulation 2);
increase the amounts of grant and loan income to be disregarded in respect of books and equipment and for travel costs (regulation 3);
provide for the disregard of childcare grants payable under Northern Ireland legislation and of the child care component of National Assembly for Wales Learning Grants (regulation 4(1) and (2));
provide for both grant income and student loans to be apportioned over complete benefit weeks (regulations 4(3), (4), (7) and (8) and 5);
clarify the position as regards the apportionment of amounts in grants intended for the maintenance of dependents (regulation 4(5) and (6));
abolish the student rent deduction and make consequential amendments (regulation 6).
These Regulations do not impose any charge on business.