These Regulations amend the Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit (Coronavirus) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020 No. 33).

Regulation 2 of the Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit (Coronavirus) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 gives the Department discretion to disapply the seven waiting days that would otherwise apply to a person who has made a claim for an employment and support allowance. Regulation 3 of those Regulations gives the Department discretion to decide that a person who makes a claim for, or is entitled to, an employment and support allowance may be treated as a person having limited capability for work. Both provisions apply where a person is infected or contaminated with Coronavirus disease, is isolating to prevent the spread of Coronavirus disease, or is caring for a child (or qualifying young person) who falls into either of those categories. Both regulations no longer have effect in relation to Universal Credit by virtue of the Social Security (Coronavirus) (Further Measures) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020 No. 53).

Following a review by the Department of the operation of the Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit (Coronavirus) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020, regulation 2 amends the expiry date of the Regulations so that they now expire on 24th March 2022.

These Regulations make in relation to Northern Ireland only provision corresponding to provision contained in Regulations made by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in relation to Great Britain and accordingly, by virtue of section 149(3) of, and paragraph 10 of Schedule 5 to, the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8), are not subject to requirement of section 149(2) of that Act for prior reference to the Social Security Advisory Committee.