Universal credit – minimum income floorC12
1
The Department may, where it appears expedient as a consequent of the outbreak of coronavirus disease, and in such cases or class of case, or for such period, as the Department determines—
a
treat the amount of the individual threshold or the couple threshold in regulation 63 M1 (minimum income floor) of the Universal Credit Regulations as if it were a lesser amount (including zero);
b
where it falls to be determined whether a claimant is in gainful self-employment, delay that determination;
c
where it has been determined that a claimant is in gainful self-employment, treat that claimant as not being in gainful self-employment;
d
where a claimant is in a start-up period, extend that period for as long as the Department considers appropriate; or
e
in relation to any claimant who would otherwise fall within Article 27 of the Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (all work-related requirements) as a result of this regulation, except that claimant from a work search requirement or a work availability requirement.
2
In this regulation “start-up period” and “gainful self-employment” have the meanings given in regulations 64 and 65 respectively of the Universal Credit Regulations.