(This note is not part of the Regulations.)
These Regulations further amend the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 (“the Housing Benefit Regulations”).
Regulation 2 inserts a new regulation into the Housing Benefit Regulations to exempt hostel dwellers from the requirements in respect of national insurance numbers imposed by section 1 of the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992.
Regulation 3 omits the definition of “hostel” from regulation 12A of the Housing Benefit Regulations and inserts it into regulation 2 of the Housing Benefit Regulations.
Regulation 4 makes a consequential amendment.
These Regulations correspond to provision contained in Regulations made by the Secretary of State for Social Security in relation to Great Britain and accordingly, by virtue of section 149(3) of, and paragraph 10 of Schedule 5 to the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8), are not subject to the requirement of section 149(2) of that Act for prior reference to the Social Security Advisory Committee.