The Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker's Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Claims and Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations apply only to—

• universal credit;

• personal independence payment;

• a jobseeker's allowance and an employment support allowance as provided for by Part 1 of Schedule 12 to the Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (“the Order”).

They contain provisions about the making of claims for, and the payment of, those benefits and the circumstances in which payments may be made directly to a third party.

Part 1 contains general provisions including definitions, the use of electronic communications, consequential amendments, and removes, from children and qualifying young persons, the requirement to supply a national insurance number when a claim to universal credit is made.

Part 2 contains provisions about claims for, and awards of, benefit. In particular the cases in which claims are not required or are treated as made, the method of making a claim and the time limits for doing so, the date on which a claim is made, interchange with other claims, advance claims for and awards of benefit, defective claims, the amendment and withdrawal of claims and the duration of awards.

Part 3 contains provisions about the information required in connection with a claim for, or an award of, benefit and provisions relating to the manner in which a change of circumstances affecting benefit must be notified for the purposes of the offences in sections 105A and 106 of the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992.

Part 4 specifies the time when, and the method by which, benefits are to be paid. In particular it includes provisions which relate to payments of benefits to persons aged under 18, payments on death and the extinguishment of the right to payment.

Part 5 sets out the circumstances in which part or all of a benefit may be paid directly to a person other than the claimant and the circumstances in which a person may be appointed to act on behalf of a claimant who is unable for the time being to act.

Part 6 sets out the circumstances in which the motability component of personal independence payment is not payable and the circumstances in which the mobility component at the enhanced rate is payable on behalf of a claimant in respect of the hire or hire purchase of a vehicle under the Motability scheme.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this Rule as no impact on the private or voluntary sector is foreseen.