Social Security Act 1975

Section 126(6).

SCHEDULE 14 Provisions applicable on Alteration of Benefit Rates

Preliminary

1 In this Schedule, " the commencing date " means the date fixed for payment of benefit at an altered rate to commence.

Awards before commencing date

2 (1) Where the weekly rate of benefit is altered to a fixed amount higher or lower than the previous amount, and before the commencing date an award of that benefit has been made (whether before or after the passing of the relevant Act or the making of the relevant order), then subject to such exceptions or conditions as may be prescribed the benefit shall, except as respects any period falling before the commencing date, become payable at the altered rate without any claim being made for it in the case of an increase in the rate of benefit or any review of the award in the case of a decrease, and the award shall have effect accordingly.

(2) Where the weekly rate of benefit is altered, and before the commencing date (but after that date is fixed) an award is made of the benefit, the award either may provide for the benefit to be paid as from the commencing date at the altered rate or may be expressed in terms of the rates appropriate at the date of the award.

Variation of disablement gratuities

3 Where in consequence of the passing of an Act, or the making of an order, altering the rate of disablement pension under section 57 of this Act, regulations are made varying the scale of disablement gratuities under section 57(5), the regulations may provide that the scale as varied shall apply only in cases where the period taken into account by the assessment of the extent of the disablement in respect of which the gratuity is awarded begins or began after such day as may be prescribed.

Benefit in respect of children or adult dependants

4 Where for any purpose of this Act or the Old Cases Act, or regulations made by virtue of either Act, the weekly rate at which a person contributes to the cost of providing for a child, or to the maintenance of an adult dependant, is to be calculated for a period beginning on or after the commencing date for an increase in the weekly rate of benefit, but account is to be taken of amounts referable to the period before the commencing date, then those amounts shall be treated as increased in proportion to the increase in the weekly rate of benefit; but this paragraph has effect subject to such exceptions or conditions (if any) as may be prescribed.