(This note is not part of the Regulations.)
These Regulations introduce provisions to support the service which will be introduced in postcode specified in Schedule 1. They also make amendments to the principal regulations relating to Claims and Payments, Housing Benefit and Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Regulation 1 refers to citation, commencement and interpretation.
Regulation 2 provides a definition of “work-focused interview”.
Regulation 3 confers on the Department for Social Development, the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment and persons providing services to either of those Departments the function of taking claims for a number of social security benefits identified in the Regulations. The claims are forwarded to the Department for Social Development.
Regulation 4 confers similar powers on the Department for Social Development, the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment and persons providing services to either of those Departments in relation to applications relating to child support.
Regulation 5 enables bodies to whom social security information is supplied to hold that information and regulation 6 provides for the provision of information to persons making claims for social security or applications for child support.
Regulation 7 inserts a new regulation into the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 (“the Housing Benefit Regulations”) to make provision as to the date on which certain claims for housing benefit shall be treated as made.
Regulation 8 makes consequential amendments to the Housing Benefit Regulations in connection with the time and manner in which claims are to be made, notification of changes of circumstances and recoverable overpayments.
Regulations 9 to 11 contain provisions relating to the use and supply of information.
Regulation 12 enables certain social security information to be supplied to the partners of persons claiming a jobseeker’s allowance.
Regulation 13 enables social security information to be supplied to partners of claimants in receipt of any of five named benefits.
Regulation 14 and Schedule 2 make consequential amendments.
These Regulations do not impose any charge on business.