The Universal Credit (Waiting Days) (Amendment) Regulations 2015

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations introduce a new 7 day period (“waiting days”) at the start of certain claims for universal credit in respect of which entitlement to benefit does not arise.

Regulation 2(1)(a) inserts a new regulation 19A into the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/376). This sets out the general rule that waiting days apply to claims for universal credit where the claimant, or either of the joint claimants, on the first day of the period in respect of which they make the claim, is subject to all work-related requirements under section 22 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012, or is not so subject only because they have limited capability for work.

It also provides an exemption from this rule for claimants whose previous award has ended because they have become, or ceased to be, a member of a couple; where the assessment periods for a new award begin on the same day of each month as those for a previous award; and for certain vulnerable claimants. Certain claimants migrating to universal credit from existing benefits are also exempt from waiting days by virtue of regulation 2(2), which inserts a new regulation 16A into the Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1230).

Regulations 2(1)(b) and (c) make further consequential amendments to the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 to clarify that, where waiting days apply, both the award of universal credit and the first assessment period start when entitlement arises, that is, after the expiry of the waiting days.

The report of the Social Security Advisory Committee dated 17th November 2014 in relation to the Secretary of State’s proposals to make these Regulations, together with a statement showing the extent to which these Regulations give effect to the recommendations of the Committee and, in so far as they do not give effect to them, the reasons why not, are contained in an Act Paper published by The Stationery Office Ltd.

The instrument has no impact on business and civil society organisations. The instrument has no impact on the public sector.