The Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996

Higher Pensioner Premium

12.—(1) The condition is that—

(a) the claimant is a single claimant or lone parent who has attained the age of 60 and either—

(i) satisfies one of the additional conditions specified in paragraph 14(1)(a), (c), (e), (f) or (h), or

(ii) was entitled to either income support or an income-based jobseeker’s allowance and the disability premium was applicable to him in respect of a benefit week within 8 weeks of his 60th birthday and he has, subject to sub-paragraph (2), remained continuously entitled to one of those benefits since attaining that age;

(b) the claimant has a partner and—

(i) the partner has attained the age of 80, or

(ii) the partner has attained the age of 60 but not the age of 80, and the additional conditions specified in paragraph 14 are satisfied in respect of him, or

(c) the claimant—

(i) has attained the age of 60;

(ii) satisfies the requirements specified in sub-paragraph (1)(a)(i) and (ii), and

(iii) has a partner.

(2) For the purposes of this paragraph and paragraph 14—

(a) once the higher pensioner premium is applicable to a claimant, if he then ceases, for a period of 8 weeks or less, to be entitled to either income support or an income-based jobseeker’s allowance, he shall, on becoming re-entitled to either of those benefits, thereafter be treated as having been continuously entitled thereto;

(b) in so far as sub-paragraph (1)(a)(ii) and (c)(ii) are concerned, if a claimant ceases to be entitled to either income support or an income-based jobseeker’s allowance for a period not exceeding 8 weeks which includes his 60th birthday, he shall, on becoming re-entitled to either of those benefits, thereafter be treated as having been continuously entitled thereto.