The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations contain only provisions in consequence of an order under section 132 of the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland)Act 1992 (c. 8) and accordingly, by virtue of section 149(3) of, and paragraph 3 of Schedule 5 to, that Act, are not subject to the requirement of section 149(2) of that Act for prior reference to the Social Security Advisory Committee.

Regulation 2 provides that where a question has arisen about the effect of the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 1995 (“the up-rating order”) on a benefit already in payment the altered rates will not apply until that question is determined by an adjudicating authority.

Regulation 3 applies the provisions of regulation 5 of the Social Security Benefit (Persons Abroad) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1978 so as to restrict the application of the increases specified in the up-rating order in cases where the beneficiary lives abroad.

Regulation 4 raises from £20.00 to £25.00 one of the earnings limits for child dependency increases payable with invalid care allowance.

Regulation 5 raises from £2,236.00 to £2,288.00 a year the earnings limit which applies to unemployability supplement.

Regulation 6 raises from £43.00 to £44.00 the earnings limit which applies to those undertaking work in certain circumstances while receiving sickness or invalidity benefit. Because sickness and invalidity benefit will be replaced by incapacity benefit from 13th April 1995 this provision will have effect only for the period 10th April 1995 to 12th April 1995.

Regulation 7 raises from £43.00 to £44.00 the limit of earnings from a councillor’s allowance in relation to incapacity benefit.

Regulation 8 contains a consequential revocation.