The Social Security (Electronic Communications) (Carer’s Allowance) Order 2003

Citation, commencement and interpretation

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Social Security (Electronic Communications) (Carer’s Allowance) Order 2003 and shall come into force on 1st December 2003.

(2) In this Order—

“the principal Regulations” means the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987(1);

“the Change of Circumstances Regulations” means the Social Security (Notification of Change of Circumstances) Regulations 2001(2).

Amendment of the principal Regulations

2.—(1) In regulation 2(1)(3) of the principal Regulations (interpretation)—

(a) immediately before the definition of “the 2002 Act” there shall be inserted—

““the 2000 Act” means the Electronic Communications Act 2000;”;

(b) after the definition of “disabled person’s tax credit” there shall be inserted—

““electronic communication” has the same meaning as in section 15(1) of the 2000 Act;”.

(2) After regulation 4B(4) of the principal Regulations (forwarding claims and information) there shall be inserted—

“Electronic claims for benefit

4ZC.— (1) Any claim for benefit in relation to which this regulation applies, and any certificate, notice, information or evidence given in connection with that claim, may be made or given by means of an electronic communication, in accordance with the provisions set out in Schedule 9ZC.

(2) This regulation applies in relation to carer’s allowance.”.

(3) After regulation 32 of the principal Regulations(5) (information to be given when obtaining payment of benefit) there shall be inserted—

“Information given electronically

32ZA.— (1) Where this regulation applies a person may give any certificate, notice, information or evidence required to be given and in particular may give notice of any change of circumstances required to be notified under regulation 32 by means of an electronic communication, in accordance with the provisions set out in Schedule 9ZC.

(2) This regulation applies in relation to carer’s allowance.”.

(4) After Schedule 9B(6) to the principal Regulations (deduction from benefits in respect of child support maintenance and payment to persons with care) there shall be inserted the Schedule set out in the Schedule to this Order.

Amendment of the Change of Circumstances Regulations

3.  After regulation 5(1) of the Change of Circumstances Regulations (change affecting other benefit payment or advantage) there shall be inserted—

“(1ZA) Where this paragraph applies, where the notice in writing referred to in paragraph (1) is given or sent by an electronic communication that notice must be given or sent in accordance with the provisions set out in Schedule 9ZC to the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987 (electronic communication).

(1ZB) Paragraph (1ZA) applies in relation to carer’s allowance.”.

Revocations

4.  The Social Security (Electronic Communications) (Child Benefit) Order 2002(7) is hereby revoked.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Maria Eagle

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State,

Department for Work and Pensions

3rd November 2003