These Regulations make amendments consequential on Articles 51 to 53 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (“the Order”) which amend the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 to provide for the introduction of bereavement payment, bereavement allowance and widowed parent’s allowance.

Article 2(3)(a) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (1999 Order) (Commencement No. 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2000 (S. R. 2000 No.133 (C. 5)) provides for the coming into operation of Articles 51 to 53 of the Order on 24th April 2000 for the purpose only of authorising the making of regulations and on 9th April 2001 for all other purposes.