2021 No. 268

Financial Assistance

The High Street (Coronavirus, Financial Assistance) Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021
Made
22nd September 2021
Coming into operation
24th September 2021
The First Minister and deputy First Minister, acting jointly, made on 4 August 2021 a determination under section 1(1) of the Financial Assistance Act (Northern Ireland) 2009 ; and, acting jointly, they have designated the Department for the Economy as the relevant department under section 1(3)(a) of that Act.
Accordingly, the Department for the Economy, makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 1(2), 3 and 4 of that Act.
In accordance with section 1(4) of that Act, the Executive Office approves the making of these Regulations.

Citation and Commencement
1
These regulations may be cited as the High Street (Coronavirus, Financial Assistance) Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 and come into operation on 24 September 2021.

High Street (Coronavirus, Financial Assistance) Scheme
2
The Department for the Economy makes the Scheme set out in the Schedule.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for the Economy on 22nd September 2021.
(L.S.)
Brenda Burke
A senior officer of the
Department
The Executive Office approves these Regulations.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Executive Office on 22nd September 2021.
(L.S.)
Chris McNabb
A senior officer of the
Executive Office
SCHEDULE

High Street (Coronavirus, Financial Assistance) Scheme
Regulation 2

Citation and Interpretation
1
1
This Scheme may be cited as the High Street (Coronavirus, Financial Assistance) Scheme.
2
In this Scheme-
- “application” shall be construed in accordance with paragraph 5;
- “coronavirus” means severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2);
- “the Department” means the Department for the Economy;
- “the determination” means the determination made by the First and deputy First Minister, acting jointly, on 4 August 2021 which recites that as a result of the exceptional circumstances that exist for local businesses as a result of coronavirus it is desirable to provide financial assistance to such businesses to mitigate the effect of the coronavirus pandemic, and determines to do so under a scheme under the Financial Assistance (Northern Ireland) Act 2009;
- “online portal” means the online portal established by the Department for the making of online applications for a pre-paid card under the Scheme;
- “pre-paid card” means a pre-paid card with an initial stored value of £100 the use of which by its holder to make a payment or payments results in the stored value of the card being debited with the payment or payments;
- “pre-paid card provider” means a person with whom the Department has entered into arrangements to provide pre-paid cards under the Scheme;
- “the Scheme” means the High Street (Coronavirus, Financial Assistance) Scheme established pursuant to the Economic Recovery Action Plan published by the Department on 25 February 2021 and the determination;
- “spend period” shall be construed in accordance with paragraph 8.

Purpose of the Scheme
2
The purpose of the Scheme is to provide financial assistance to mitigate (through the use of pre-paid cards) the effect of the exceptional circumstances referred to in the determination.

The Scheme
3
1
The Scheme-
a
commences on 26 September; and
b
ends at midnight on 31 March 2022.
2
The Department –
a
may make, with any person, such arrangements as it considers necessary or expedient for the purposes of, in consequence of, or for giving full effect to, the Scheme;
b
in particular, may pay to a pre-paid card provider a sum equal to the initial stored value of the pre-paid cards that the provider provides under the Scheme.

Eligible applicant
4
1
A person is eligible for a pre-paid card if the person-
a
is resident in Northern Ireland (see sub-paragraph (2)),
b
has attained the age of 18 or will attain that age before the end of the application period (as to which, see paragraph 5(7) and (8)); and
c
has not previously been provided with a card under the Scheme.
2
A person is “resident” in Northern Ireland for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(a) if the person satisfies such conditions as to residency as are specified in a determination made by the Department for that purpose.
3
The Department must publish a determination under sub-paragraph (2) in such manner as the Department considers most appropriate for bringing it to the attention of persons who may be affected by it.
4
But a person is not eligible for a pre-card card if, when the application is made, the person is detained, or is liable to be detained, under a custodial sentence (within the meaning given by Article 4(1) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008) or in pursuance of a committal or remand in custody awaiting trial or sentence.

Application
5
1
An application for a pre-paid card must be made to the Department –
a
using the online portal; or
b
by telephone using a telephone number published by the Department for that purpose.
2
If the Department is satisfied that a particular application cannot be made in accordance with sub-paragraph (1), the Department may consider the application if it is made in any other manner specified by the Department.
3
An application must contain all the information requested by the Department.
4
An application may only be made in the application period.
5
The Department must determine whether the applicant is eligible under paragraph 4 and –
a
if the applicant is eligible, the Department must approve the application and arrange for the pre-paid card provider to provide the applicant with a pre-paid card;
b
if the applicant is not eligible, the Department must reject the application.
6
The Department must, as soon as reasonably practicable –
a
if it approves the application, notify the applicant of that decision;
b
if it rejects the application, notify the applicant in writing of that decision and the reason for the rejection.
7
“Application period” is the period that begins with 27 September 2021 and ends with 25 October 2021.
8
The Department may extend the application period.
9
If the Department extends the application period, it must publish notice of the extension as soon as reasonably practicable.
10
Publication under sub-paragraph (1)(b) or (9) is to be in such manner as the Department considers most appropriate for bringing the telephone number or the extension of the application period (as the case may be) to the attention of persons who may be affected by it.

Review of rejected applications
6
1
Where an application has been rejected under paragraph 5, the applicant may request the Department to reconsider it.
2
Such a request must –
a
be made in writing within the period–
i
commencing on the day the applicant was notified of the rejection of the application; and
ii
ending on the fifth day thereafter;
b
specify the decision of the Department in respect of which a review is requested; and
c
provide full details of the grounds on which the review is requested.
3
The Department may, where it considers it is appropriate to do so, extend the period referred to in sub-paragraph (2)(a).
4
In reviewing a rejected application, the Department –
a
may require the applicant to provide such information as it considers necessary for the purposes of that review;
b
may confirm the rejection of the application or approve that application.
5
The Department must, as soon as reasonably practicable, notify the applicant in writing of the outcome of its review and the reason for that outcome.
6
Where the Department approves the application following a review under this paragraph, it must arrange for the pre-paid card provider to provide the applicant with a pre-paid card (but see sub-paragraph (7)).
7
The Department is not required to arrange for a pre-paid card to be provided to the applicant if the Department considers that it is not possible for the card to be provided within a reasonable time before the end of the spend period.
8
If, in accordance with sub-paragraph (7), the Department does not arrange for a pre-paid card to be provided to an applicant, the Department must as soon as reasonably practicable notify the applicant in writing of that outcome.

Distribution of cards
7
A pre-paid card shall be sent by ordinary post.

Spend period
8
1
A pre-paid card may only be used during the period (“the spend period”) –
a
beginning with the day the card is activated (see sub- paragraph (2)); and
b
ending on 30 November 2021.
2
In sub-paragraph (1)(a), “activated” means activated by the applicant in accordance with instructions provided by the pre-paid card provider.
3
Despite sub-paragraph (1)(b), the Department may do any of the following-
a
terminate the spend period before 30 November 2021;
b
extend that period beyond that date;
c
suspend and reactivate that period.
4
Where the Department does any of the things mentioned in sub-paragraph (3), it must publish notice of the change as soon as reasonably practicable.
5
Publication under sub-paragraph (4) is to be in such manner as the Department considers most appropriate for bringing notice of the change to the attention of persons who may be affected by it.

Use of card
9
1
The use of a pre-paid card under the Scheme shall be subject to such terms and conditions as shall be notified to the card holder by the pre-paid card provider.
2
A pre-paid card may be used to purchase goods or services from any wholesale or retail establishment, or from any business, if that establishment or business is physically present in Northern Ireland; but this is subject to paragraph 10.
3
A pre-paid card may be used in full or part payment of a purchase mentioned in sub-paragraph (2).

Excluded uses
10
1
Arrangements made by the Department in connection with the Scheme may provide that a pre-paid card may not be used for excluded transactions (see sub-paragraph (2)).
2
Excluded transactions are—
a
any transaction to purchase goods or services, to pay for facilities, to make payments or otherwise to do anything falling in a merchant code category that is published by the International Organization for Standardization and listed in the Schedule to the Scheme ;
b
a transaction of any other description specified in a determination made by the Department for the purposes of this sub-paragraph.
3
The Department must publish notice of any determination under sub-paragraph (2)(b) as soon as reasonably practicable.
4
Publication under sub-paragraph (3) is to be in such manner as the Department considers most appropriate for bringing the determination to the attention of persons who may be affected by it.

Expiry of a pre-paid card
11
A pre-paid card expires on the earliest of-
a
the exhaustion of all of the stored value of the card;
b
the cancellation of the card in accordance with the terms and conditions referred to in paragraph 9(1).
c
the day on which the spend period ends; and
d
the day on which the Scheme ends.

Recovery of sums spent by ineligible users
12
1
Sub-paragraph (2) applies where -
a
a pre-paid card is provided to a person who is not eligible for it,
b
as a result of the card being used, an amount is debited from the stored value of the card, and
c
the Department has paid to the pre-paid card provider, or is under an obligation to pay to the pre-paid card provider an amount in respect of the card.
2
The Department may recover from the cardholder, as a civil debt, a sum equal to the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(b).

Payment to be disregarded for social security
13
The stored value of a pre-paid card shall not be taken into account in considering a person’s entitlement to a Social Fund payment, a discretionary support award or a payment under any of the following social security benefits-
a
income support;
b
jobseekers allowance;
c
employment and support allowance;
d
housing benefit (working age);
e
housing benefit (state pension credit age);
f
universal credit; or
g
state pension credit.

Information
14
1
A public body may disclose any information to the Department if the disclosure is made for the purpose of enabling or assisting the Department to exercise a function under the Scheme.
2
The Department may disclose any information to a public body if the disclosure is made in connection with the exercise of the Department’s functions under the Scheme.
3
A disclosure of information authorised by this paragraph does not breach—
a
any obligation of confidence owed by the person making the disclosure in relation to that information, or
b
any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).
4
But nothing in this paragraph authorises either of the following—
a
the making of a disclosure which, although made in the exercise of a function under the Scheme, would contravene the data protection legislation (see sub-paragraph (5));
b
the making of a disclosure which is prohibited by any of Parts 1 to 7 or Chapter 1 of Part 9 of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.
5
In this paragraph “the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act).
6
This paragraph does not affect any power to disclose that exists apart from this paragraph.
SCHEDULE

Merchant Category Codes
1111 | Test Desc
4784 | Toll And Brige Fees
4815 | Visaphone
4829 | Money Orders / Wire Transfer
5262 | New Mail Order
5542 | Automated Fuel Dispensers
5815 | Digital Goods - Audiovisual Media Including Books, Movies, And Music
5816 | Digital Goods - Games
5817 | Digital Goods - Software Applications (Excluding Games)
5818 | Digital Goods - Multi-Category
5960 | Direct Marketing- Insurance Service
5961 | Mail Order Houses Including Catalog Order Stores, Book/Record
5962 | Direct Marketing / Travel Related Arrangements Services
5963 | Door-To-Door Sales
5964 | Direct Marketing / Catalog Merchant
5965 | Direct Marketing / Catalog And Catalog And Retail Merchant
5966 | Direct Marketing- Outbound Telemarketidirect Marketing- Outbound
5967 | Direct Marketing / Inbound Teleservices Merchant
5968 | Direct Marketing / Continuity/Subscription Merchant
5969 | Direct Marketing / Not Elsewhere Classified
6010 | Financial Institutions / Manual Cash Disbursements
6011 | Financial Institutions / Automated Cash Disbursements
6012 | Financial Institutions / Merchandise And Services
6015 | Non Fin Inst Stamps
6050 | Quasi Cash Member Financial Institution
6051 | Non-Fin Institutions / Foreign Currency, Money Orders, Travels Cheques
6211 | Security Brokers/Dealers
6300 | Insurance Sales, Underwriting, And Premiums
6381 | Insurance Premiums, (No Longer Valid For First Presentment Work)
6399 | Insurance, Not Elsewhere Classified (No Longer Valid For First
6513 | Real Estate Agents And Managers - Rentals
6529 | Remote Stored Value Load Member Financial Institution
6530 | Remote Stored Value Load Merchant
6531 | Payment Service Provider Payment Transfer For A Purchase
6532 | Payment Service Provider Member Financial Institution Payment Transaction
6533 | Payment Service Provider Merchant Payment Transaction
6534 | Money Transfer Member Financial Institution
6535 | Value Purchase Member Financial Institution
6536 | Moneysend Intracountry
6537 | Moneysend Intercountry
6538 | Moneysend Funding Transaction
6539 | Funding Transaction Excluding Moneysend
6540 | Poi Funding Transactions (Excluding Mastercard Moneysend)
7012 | Timeshares
7273 | Dating And Escort Services
7276 | Tax Preparation Service
7321 | Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies
7800 | Government Owned Lotteries
7801 | Internet Gambling
7802 | Government-Licensed Horse/Dog Racing
7995 | Betting (Including Lottery Tickets, Casino Gaming Chips, Off-Track
8651 | Political Organizations
8931 | Accounting, Auditing, And Bookkeeping Services
9063 | Vers Iii
9211 | Court Costs, Including Alimony And Child Support
9222 | Fines
9223 | Bail And Bond Payments
9311 | Tax Payments
9399 | Government Services (Not Elsewhere Classified)
9402 | Postal Services / Government Only
9405 | Intra / Government Transactions
9411 | Government Loan Payments
9700 | Automated Referral Service (For Visa Only)
Y | Visa Credential Server (For Visa Use Only)
9950 | Intra / Company Purchases (For Visa Only)

EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order)
These Regulations provide for the issue of a pre-paid stored value card to successful applicants under the High Street Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2021.
Regulation 2 provides that the Scheme is set out in the Schedule.
The Schedule -
a
provides that the Department for the Economy must issue a pre-paid stored value card to applicants who meet the eligibility criteria;
b
specifies the how the application must be made, including the period within which the application must be made (“the application period”);
c
provides for a reconsideration of rejected applications;
d
provides that the Department must arrange to have a pre-paid card issued to successful applicants by a pre-paid card provider with whom the Department has entered into an arrangements;
e
provides for the period during which a pre-paid card may be used (“the spend period”) ;
f
provides what a pre-paid card may be used for and what uses are excluded;
g
provides that payments made to applicants who are not eligible under the Scheme may be recovered; and
h
provides that the stored value of a pre-paid card is to be ignored for certain social security purposes.
A Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared for these Regulations. An Explanatory Memorandum has been published alongside this instrument. Both documents can be viewed at www.economy-ni.gov.uk
2009 c. 2 (N.I.).
Formerly the Office of the First Minister and the deputy First Minister: see section 1(1) and (11) of, and Schedule 1 to, the Departments Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (2016 c. 5 (N.I.)).