17.—(1) This regulation applies where a person dies and the total of—
(a)any sums that were due to him under these Regulations; and
(b)any sums payable under these Regulations to his personal representatives,
does not exceed the amount specified in any order for the time being in force for the purposes of section 1 of the Administration of Estates (Small Payments) Act (Northern Ireland) 1967(1) and applying in relation to the death.
(2) Where this regulation applies the Department may, without requiring the production of proof of title, pay any amount due under paragraph (1)(a) or (b)—
(a)to the deceased’s personal representatives; or
(b)to the person, or to among any one or more of any persons, appearing to it to be beneficially entitled to the estate,
any any person to whom such a payment is made, and not the Department, shall thereafter be liable to account for any amount paid.
1967 c. 5 (N.I.). The amount specified in S.R. 1984 No. 336 as amended by S.R. 1988 No. 271 is £5,000