These Regulations amend the Social Security (Attendance Allowance) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992 and the Social Security (Disability Living Allowance) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992.

Section 64(4) and 72(7) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 respectively make provision for circumstances for attendance allowance and the care component of disability living allowance in which a person may be taken to satisfy or not to satisfy the conditions for entitlement to the benefit to be prescribed. These Regulations prescribe such a circumstance, that is, that a person will be taken to satisfy the condition of attention for entitlement to attendance allowance or the care component of disability living allowance only where such attention is required to be given in the presence of the severely disabled person.

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.

These Regulations do not impose a charge on business.